US bans BYD vehicles from Kadena airbase in Japan over security concerns

Military officials say Chinese-made cars pose ‘unacceptable’ risk

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

The US military has banned all vehicles manufactured by Chinese company BYD from Kadena airbase on the Japanese island of Okinawa, citing an “unacceptable and unmitigable risk” to personnel and operations. The restriction, which took effect this week, applies to privately owned cars, taxis and delivery vehicles.

Lieut Col Alli Stormer, a spokesperson for the US air force 18th Wing at Kadena, announced the ban, stating that BYD vehicles present an “unacceptable and unmitigable risk.” Security personnel at the base’s gates have been instructed to block BYD vehicles and direct drivers to turn around.

The ban is part of broader US measures to restrict Chinese technology suspected of being used for information gathering. In 2018, the Pentagon banned smartphones from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE from military bases worldwide.

China has similarly restricted US-made vehicles. In 2021, it barred Tesla cars from government compounds over camera concerns, lifting the ban in 2024 after Tesla secured an endorsement from a Chinese auto industry body.

BYD, which overtook Tesla as the world’s top seller of battery-electric vehicles in 2025, has not publicly responded to the Kadena ban. The company is expanding in Japan, including with its recently launched Racco electric minicar.

The US has previously added BYD to a list of Chinese firms it says have ties to the country’s military, drawing protests from Beijing.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The ban highlights escalating US-China tech rivalry, with military bases becoming a flashpoint for security concerns over Chinese-made devices.
It could set a precedent for other US bases worldwide and allied nations to restrict Chinese vehicles, impacting global supply chains.
BYD’s expansion in Japan and other markets may face headwinds as security scrutiny grows.

Background

The US Pentagon has progressively restricted Chinese technology from military facilities, including bans on Huawei and ZTE smartphones in 2018. The addition of BYD to a Pentagon blacklist of Chinese military-linked firms earlier this year signals a broadening of these measures. Kadena airbase, a key strategic hub in East Asia, is directly involved in potential crises involving China, Russia or North Korea, making security concerns particularly acute.

What to Watch

Whether other US military bases in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region adopt similar bans on BYD vehicles.
China’s response, which could include renewed restrictions on US automakers like Tesla or other companies.
Official statement from BYD, which has not yet commented publicly on the ban.

Sources

US bans vehicles from China’s BYD at Japan military base, calling them ‘unacceptable’ risk · The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 5 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe US has banned BYD vehicles from Kadena airbase in Japan over security concerns.World news | The Guardian: “One of America’s biggest overseas military bases has banned vehicles made by the Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD over security concerns”
Partly supportedMilitary officials say Chinese-made cars pose an “unacceptable” risk.World news | The Guardian: ““These vehicles present an unacceptable and unmitigable risk to our personnel and our mission,” Lieut Col Alli Stormer, a spokesperson for the US air force 18th Wing at Kadena, said in a statement.”
SupportedStormer said BYD vehicles presented an “unacceptable and unmitigable risk.”World news | The Guardian: ““These vehicles present an unacceptable and unmitigable risk to our personnel and our mission,” Lieut Col Alli Stormer, a spokesperson for the US air force 18th Wing at Kadena, said in a statement.”
Partly supportedLieut Col Alli Stormer announced the ban.World news | The Guardian: “One of America’s biggest overseas military bases has banned vehicles made by the Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD over security concerns, the US military in Japan said on Tuesday.”
SupportedThe ban took effect this week.World news | The Guardian: “The ban, which went into effect this week at Kadena airbase on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa”
Partly supportedThe restriction applies to all BYD vehicles, including privately owned cars, taxis and delivery vehicles.World news | The Guardian: “The restrictions apply to all BYD vehicles, including privately owned cars, taxis and delivery vehicles, reports said”
Partly supportedSecurity personnel at the base gates were instructed to block BYD vehicles and direct drivers to turn around.World news | The Guardian: “reports said that security personnel stationed at the base’s gates had been instructed to block BYD vehicles and instruct drivers to turn around.”
SupportedThe ban is part of broader US measures to restrict Chinese technology suspected of being used for information gathering.World news | The Guardian: “the ban is part of wider measures taken by the US and other western countries to restrict Chinese smart technology in vehicles, mobile phones and other devices they fear could be used to “spy” on their owners.”
Partly supportedChina barred Tesla cars from government compounds in 2021 over camera concerns and lifted the restriction in 2024 after Tesla received an endorsement from a Chinese auto industry body.World news | The Guardian: “In 2021, it barred them from some government compounds due to security concerns over ⁠cameras installed on the vehicles. Beijing removed that restriction in 2024 after Tesla won an endorsement from the country’s top auto industry association.”
SupportedBYD overtook Tesla as the world’s top seller of battery-electric vehicles in 2025.World news | The Guardian: “BYD, which has not immediately responded publicly to the Kadena ban, overtook Tesla as the world’s biggest seller of battery-electric vehicles in 2025.”
Partly supportedBYD has not publicly responded to the Kadena ban.World news | The Guardian: “BYD, which has not immediately responded publicly to the Kadena ban”
Partly supportedThe US previously added BYD to a list of Chinese firms it says have ties to the country’s military, drawing protests from Beijing.World news | The Guardian: “In June the Pentagon added BYD to a list of 188 Chinese firms it believes have ties to the country’s military, drawing a protest from Beijing.”