US bans vehicles from China’s BYD at Japan military base, calling them ‘unacceptable’ risk
The US military has banned all vehicles made by Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD at Kadena airbase in Japan due to security concerns.
The ban, which took effect this week at Kadena airbase on Okinawa, has intensified speculation that similar measures could be implemented at other US military installations. This move reflects Washington's broader crackdown on Chinese technology suspected of collecting sensitive information.
These vehicles present an unacceptable and unmitigable risk to our personnel and our mission.
Security concerns
The restrictions apply to all BYD vehicles, including privately owned cars, taxis and delivery vehicles. Security personnel at the base's gates have been instructed to block BYD vehicles and turn drivers away.
Kadena, the largest US air force base in East Asia, would be directly involved in responding to crises involving China, Russia or North Korea. The base houses the powerful Typhon missile system capable of striking targets up to 1,600km away.
Broader context
The ban stems from concerns about potential information leaks through vehicle-mounted technologies like cameras, sensors and GPS devices. The US and other Western countries have been restricting Chinese smart technology in vehicles, mobile phones and other devices.
In June, the Pentagon added BYD to a list of 188 Chinese firms with alleged military ties, which also includes Nio, Alibaba and Baidu. The US previously banned Huawei and ZTE smartphones at military bases in 2018.
China has imposed similar restrictions on US-made Tesla vehicles in the past, barring them from some government compounds in 2021 before lifting the ban in 2024. BYD overtook Tesla as the world's largest electric vehicle seller in 2025 and is expanding overseas, including in Japan.
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