US bans China's BYD from Japan airbase over leak concern

The United States military has barred China's BYD vehicles from the Kadena Air Base in Japan to prevent the leakage of sensitive information.

The ban on the automaker takes effect on Monday, as the US increases protection for its largest Air Force hub abroad, located on Okinawa Island.

The spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Alli Stormer, said the prohibited vehicles "present an unacceptable and unmitigable risk to our personnel and our mission."

The base along the edge of the East China Sea hosts the 18th Squadron of the 5th US Air Force, and the Typhon missile system capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles.

It plays a major role in Japan's defense and Indo-Pacific regional security strategy, and operates military assets, including fighter jets, transport planes, radars, and ammunition.

The US military is reportedly considering expanding restrictions on certain vehicles to other facilities in Japan, South Korea, and other East Asian countries.

Based in Shenzhen, China, BYD overtook Tesla as the world's largest EV manufacturer in 2025 and is accelerating its global expansion across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

In July, the US Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved the "Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026" to prohibit vehicles from certain adversarial nations.

Introduced by Senators Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), the bill seeks a ban on internet-connected vehicles and connected technology linked to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.

The software and vehicle rules will start in 2027 and hardware restrictions in 2030, though automakers like Mercedes-Benz would not be targeted despite stakes held by Chinese entities.

The bill, meanwhile, faced a Senate-wide consent delay in late September 2026 after objections from some Senators, pushing major floor consideration to post-midterm election session.

US bans China's BYD from Japan airbase over leak concern