Why are BYD vehicles being turned away from Kadena Air Base?

Yonhap, citing US military officials stationed in Japan, reported that US concerns center on cameras and sensors mounted on the vehicles, which officials believe could collect and leak sensitive security-related information from the base.

What actions have Alibaba and China taken in response to the US list?

Alibaba has sued the US government. China’s foreign ministry has protested that the list is discriminatory and unreasonable.

US bans BYD from air base in Japan over security concern, news report says

Q: Which Chinese companies did the US add to its list of enterprises it believes are aiding China’s military?

In June, the US added BYD, e-commerce company Alibaba, internet company Baidu and automaker NIO to the list.

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Summary

The US armed forces will turn away BYD vehicles at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, starting Monday over concerns that their cameras and sensors could collect sensitive information. The measure applies to vehicles used by base personnel, contractors, commercial entities and taxis. The move follows the US addition of BYD and three other Chinese companies to a list of enterprises it believes are aiding China’s military.

Key Facts

Yonhap reported that the security concern involves cameras and sensors mounted on BYD vehicles that US officials believe could collect and leak sensitive information from the base.
US military officials in Japan could not immediately be reached for confirmation, and BYD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The US added e-commerce company Alibaba, internet company Baidu and automaker NIO to the list alongside BYD in June.
Alibaba has sued the US government over the list, while China’s foreign ministry has protested that it is discriminatory and unreasonable.

By Reuters

Published Oct 23, 2026 1:25 pm KST

The BYD logo at the 2026 Paris Motor Show in Paris, France, Oct. 16. Reuters-Yonhap

US bans BYD from air base in Japan over security concern, news report says

The US armed forces have banned Chinese carmaker BYD's EVs from an air base in Japan due to security concerns, South Korea's Yonhap news reported on Friday, after Washington put the company on a list of enterprises it believes are aiding China's military.

The following are details of the measure.

* The concern stems from the use of cameras and sensors mounted on the vehicles that the US believes could collect and leak sensitive security related information from the base, Yonhap said, citing US military officials stationed in Japan.

* US military officials in Japan could not immediately be reached for confirmation. BYD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

* The Kadena Air Base in Okinawa will turn around BYD cars starting on Monday, Yonhap said. Vehicles used by base personnel, contractors, commercial entities and taxis will be affected without exception, Yonhap said.

* In June, the US added BYD along with e-commerce company Alibaba, internet company Baidu and automaker NIO to a list of companies it believes are aiding China's military.

* Alibaba has since sued the US government. China's foreign ministry has protested the list was discriminatory and unreasonable.

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