The following news briefs are provided to help keep our community informed about what’s happening on our U.S. Army Garrison Japan installations.

To submit your information for publication, email full details (who, what, when, where, why and how, along with contact information) to usag.japan@gmail.com.

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Summer Baseball Clinic

Zama City is hosting a summer baseball clinic July 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Zama City Baseball Field (6-36-24 Sagamigaoka, Zama City) for first- and second-grade students and their parents that will feature former Japanese professional players teaching fundamentals of the sport.

The capacity for this event is 50 families/100 people. There is no fee for this event, but it is first-come, first-serve.

To register, please send an email with your name, your child’s name, age, telephone number to sayuri.nagai.ln@army.mil by close of business on June 29.

Sagamihara Interchange of Ken-Ō Expressway to Become ETC-Only

It was recently announced that the Sagamihara Interchange of the Ken-Ō (or Ken-Ōdō) Expressway will be operated as an ETC-exclusive tollbooth beginning June 30.

If your vehicle does not have ETC equipped and you accidentally use the ETC-only tollbooth after June 30, please go to the lane labeled “Support” or “ETC/Support.”

Camp Zama Road Closure

Portions of both Sendai Street and Ishinomaki Avenue will be closed due to construction on Camp Zama through July 1.

The closure will impact both vehicle and pedestrian traffic at the intersection near the Camp Zama Community Club, Bowling Alley and BG Crawford F. Sams Army Health Clinic.

Please plan to take different routes, drive slowly and follow traffic signs or direction from the construction workers.

Independence Day Celebration Open-Post Event

We are excited to host the July 2 Independence Day and Salute to the Nation event on Saturday, July 2, and hope to see everyone there!

Here are some more details that will help you plan your day.

- Gates 1 and 4 will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic beginning at 2 p.m. SOFA personnel wishing to enter Camp Zama after 2 p.m. must utilize Gate 7. No visitors or guests may enter Gate 7.

- All normal visitor passes will be suspended at noon, and all visitors must leave Camp Zama prior to that time. Normal visitor pass procedures will resume on July 3.

- Event visitors can enter Camp Zama through Gate 1 or Gate 4 starting at 3 p.m. Vehicle and bicycle entrance at those gates will not be permitted. Visitors cannot enter the gates after 8:30 p.m. Both gates are exit-only starting at 8:30 p.m.

- There will be no parking immediately available near the event area. SOFA personnel should take that into consideration if driving to the event.

- Do not drink and drive. MWR will offer a free shuttle bus service to and from the Sagamihara Family Housing Area. The bus will pick up passengers at the airport bus stop behind the SFHA pool, and will drop off at the Camp Zama Community Recreation Center parking lot. The estimated shuttle departure times from SFHA to Camp Zama will be 2:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. MWR will run the bus back to SHA until all participants have returned.

- The parking lot south of Bldg. 101 will be blocked off for the fireworks set-up, so please remove all vehicles by close of business July 1. Any vehicles remaining in that lot will be towed. We recommend not to park in any other parking spots near Bldg. 101.

- Directorate of Emergency Services, MEDDAC-Japan and JGSDF personnel will be on duty for emergency response. If you need assistance, ask one of the uniformed personnel.

- Do not bring knives, alcohol, push scooters, skateboards, glass containers or pets to the event.

- No personal fireworks are authorized on USAG Japan installations.

- Masks are not required, but anyone wishing to wear a mask is encouraged to do so.

- Please remain socially distanced, and utilize the hand-washing stations.

- Stay hydrated, wear plenty of sunscreen, and keep safety a top priority.

- All visitors 18 years of age or older must present one of the following forms of identification (ID) in order to access the installation for an open-post event: Valid driver’s license; valid passport; Government of Japan identification card; Japan Self-Defense Forces identification card; local national student identification card (high school students only); residence card (must show nationality) or a permanent address record card showing nationality along with a picture ID; National Public Service identification (Kokka Komuinsho); or a My Number Card/Juki Card (must have a current photograph, Juminhyo with Honsekichi or Koseki Tohon issued within one year). Non-Japanese citizens must bring a passport with a valid visa or a permanent residence card. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is in possession of one of the above valid forms of ID.

Independence Day Self-Help Store Closures

The SFHA Self-Help Store will be closed July 4 (Monday) in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

It is normally closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and will reopen for normal business hours July 7 (Thursday).

The Camp Zama Self-Help Store will be closed July 6 (Wednesday) in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

It is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and will reopen for normal business hours

July 7 (Thursday).

Camp Zama Post Office Closure for Japanese Holidays

The Camp Zama Post Office (Bldg. 450) will be closed on the following Japanese holidays:

Ocean Day (July 18)

Mountain Day (Aug. 11)

However, the Community Mailroom (Bldg. 451) will be open for normal business hours from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Incoming mail will be received, sorted and delivered to customers.

Please plan accordingly, and thank you for your patience.

Yukata-Wearing Class

Camp Zama’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, and Army Community Service are hosting a yukata-wearing class July 22 from 10 a.m. to noon at Army Community Service.

Registration is required to attend this event, and there is a maximum of six participants allowed, so early registration is recommended. Please provide your own yukata.

To register or for more information, call 263-5127/4357 or 046-407-5127/4357, or email sari.sugai2.ln@army.mil.

Guidance on Leashing Dogs While On Base

We are still receiving complaints about residents who are walking their pets without leashes on Camp Zama and the Sagamihara Family Housing Area.

Some people reported that unleashed dogs have acted aggressively toward other residents and pets.

It is mandatory that your pets are on leashes—or in a fenced yard—when outside of your quarters.

To the majority of residents who abide by the rules, thank you for being great neighbors!

To those who choose to ignore the rules, please note that you could face disciplinary or administrative actions, and that violations may result in losing the privilege of living in government housing.

Also, please be reminded to clean up your pet’s waste.

Community members, please report violations to the Housing Office at 263-3527 or the Military Police Station at 263-3002.

COVID-19 Testing No Longer Required for U.S. Entry

(From Japan to United States)

As of June 12, air passengers will not need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result, nor show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship. Of note, the Centers for Disease Control’s order requiring proof of vaccination for noncitizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect.

(From United States to Japan)

Following an update in Japan travel regulations, members who received a negative molecular (i.e., RT-PCR, LAMP, TMA, NEAR) pre-departure COVID-19 test result are now exempt from entry testing and restriction-of-movement requirements regardless of vaccination status.

For specific questions, contact your chain of command or visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go.html?fbclid=IwAR3NRJv87QMphSv9nlvOdkADmf7NJzm-_DXoTzzwyjv-egHqCQc92_ZFQCw.

Advisory on Mailing Items With Lithium Batteries

Effective immediately, all parcels containing lithium batteries are prohibited in inbound and outbound international mail, and mail to, from, and between overseas military and diplomatic addresses.

Customs forms submitted with items containing lithium batteries will be declared non-mailable, and military post offices will return the item to the sender.

This restriction also applies to AMC flights, due to the parcel entering the domestic network once arriving in the United States.

These immediate changes are necessary to address a rise in incidents involving lithium batteries and other hazardous material.

Items that can contain lithium batteries include: Bluetooth headsets and headphones, cellphones, computer peripherals, digital cameras, e-readers, video game controllers, laptops, smart watches, tablets and smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detectors.

Child and Youth Services Seeking Employees

Looking for a rewarding job with great salary and benefits, where you know you’re making a difference in today’s youth and children? That opportunity is here! Start your career with Army MWR, Child & Youth Services. Check out the opportunities available and apply now by accessing this link: ArmyMWR.com/CYSCareers.

 

Army Recruiting Office Opens on Camp Zama

An Army recruiting office recently reopened on Camp Zama to better support potential recruits on mainland Japan following a decade-long hiatus. Anyone interested can speak to recruiter Sgt. 1st Class Jason Blowers. Blowers can be reached by email at jason.e.blowers.mil@army.mil. His temporary office is located in Building 102, Room M134. A permanent office is expected to open near the Camp Zama laundromat this summer.

 

Free COVID-19 Home-Test Kits Available at MEDDAC-Japan

MEDDAC-Japan is now offering free COVID-19 home-test kits. This is available only to our empaneled TRICARE beneficiaries and due to current supply we are limited to one kit per ID cardholder. You are able to pick up your home-test kits at our COVID testing location (blue and white tent in the rear of the clinic). There will be two separate lines, one for testing and one for home-kit pick up. Please ensure that you are in the appropriate line. If you do not have an ID card, you will not be issued a kit or tested. Children under the age of 10 can be validated with a parent’s ID card.

Guidance for Disposing COVID-19 Self-Test Kits

If you use a COVID-19 self-test kit at home, on- or off-post, please follow these directions for disposing of the kits following use. Please follow the same directions for both positive and negative test results.

• Kits with needles cannot be disposed of at garbage collection points. Those kits must be returned to the store where you purchased them.

• After use, place the kit in a plastic bag, tie it tightly to prevent direct contact with the kit, write the date on the outside of the bag, and store it for four days.

• Only the items that are physically used during testing (test vials, swabs, gloves, test strips etc.) need to go through this process, the rest of the test kit packaging, test instructions and other packaging within the kits go into normal trash using standard processes.

• If the test kit comes in contact with the outside of the plastic bag, double up the bag.

• Wash your hands thoroughly under running water with soap after placing the waste in the plastic bag.

• After four days have passed, you can place the bag containing the test kit with other garbage as regular garbage and put it out on the designated collection day.

Camp Zama Pet Care Center Maintenance/Construction

The Camp Zama Pet Care Center will undergo a facility maintenance and construction project through May 2022. During this time, dog boarding will be limited. Dog grooming services, and cat boarding, will remain unaffected. Call the center at 263-5915 (046-407-5915) for more information.

COVID Testing

MEDDAC-Japan officials provide COVID-19 testing Monday through Friday.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday

* Exit ROM and Pre-Travel Testing: Conducted from 8 to 10:30 a.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be cleared from ROM, or personnel who require testing for personal or official travel.

* Quarantine Testing: Conducted from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be released from quarantine.

Thursday

* Exit ROM and Pre-Travel Testing: Conducted from 8 to 9:30 a.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be cleared from ROM, or personnel who require testing for personal or officials travel.

* Quarantine Testing: Conducted from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. This is for personnel who were instructed to report for testing to be released from quarantine.

NOTE: If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, you must have an appointment to be tested. Call DSN 263-4175 (046-407-4175) to make an appointment.

Killer Katanas Roller Derby Team Now Recruiting

The Killer Katanas roller derby team is recruiting community members who are looking for a unique and action-packed activity. Women ages 18 and up at any skill level, as well as men interested in becoming officials, can join the practices, which are currently held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Arnn Elementary School on the Sagamihara Family Housing Area. To join a practice or for more information, readers can email the team at zamakillerkatanas@gmail.com.