Permanent Chemical Contamination Incident at Japanese Air Base

Seven out of eight water sources within and surrounding the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Shintabara Base in Miyazaki Prefecture have been found to exceed permissible levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These “permanent chemicals” are extremely difficult to degrade and can accumulate in the environment and human bodies over extended periods. Long-term consumption of contaminated water may affect reproductive health, child development, and even cause cancer.