USAG Japan, Zama

History

The presence of the U.S. Army in Japan can be traced to the formation, in 1941, of Army Force Far East (AFFE) under the command of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. AFFE and its successor fought in many of the major campaigns in the Southwest Pacific, receiving two Distinguished Unit Citations and Two Philippine Presidential Unit Citations. In 1945, the command, which had been re-designated U.S. Armed Forces, Far East (USAFFE), participated in the occupation of Japan. With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea in June 1950, USAFFE became engaged in the logistical support of the U.S. Forces in Korea. In October 1953, USAFFE moved its headquarters to Camp Zama, Japan. In 1957, the U.S. Army Forces in the Pacific were completely reorganized. Many units, including Armed Forces Far East/Eighth Army (REAR), as the command was then called, reorganized, renamed or inactivated. The reorganization created, on July 1, 1957, a new command, U.S. Army Japan (USARJ). USARJ was established as a major subordinate command in the newly formed U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC).

Mission

United States Army Japan (USARJ) is the Army Component Command of United States Forces, Japan (USFJ). Stationed at Camp Zama, USARJ is a key element in upholding the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan, the most important U.S. bilateral relationship in the region and the key to maintaining western Pacific regional stability. The 9th Theater Support Command (TSC), based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is a multi-component unit with an active-duty element based on Camp Zama. United States Army Garrison Japan (USAG-J) executes Garrison operations to provide installation management and programs and services, and enhance the well-being of Soldiers, civilians and family members in support of mission readiness and execution. Several tenant units are also based at Camp Zama.

Population Served

Mainland Japan has roughly 4,000 Soldiers, civilians, contractors and family members assigned to sites across the island of Honshu. Japanese nationals comprise more than half of the workforce.

The Camp Zama community is comprised of two main housing areas on mainland Japan: Camp Zama and Sagamihara Family Housing Area (SHA). Both are in Kanagawa Prefecture, about 25 miles southwest of Tokyo. There are also several satellite locations located in Yokohama, Kure, Tokyo and other areas. The military community comprises a very small percentage of the prefecture population. Japan, in general, is a high cost of living area, but one can save on purchases by shopping on base at the post exchange and commissary. The weather is similar to that of the United States’ mid-Atlantic east coast. In less than two hours by train, one can be shopping in downtown Tokyo, picking up seashells at the beach in Enoshima or soaking in a hot spring in Hakone.

The base operator’s phone number is +81-46-407-1110 or 011-81-46-407-1110.

Area Population: Tokyo: 12 million

Welcome to Japan! For those of you assigned duty at HQ United States Army, Japan, 17th Area Support Group or one of the other units/activities in the Camp Zama area, you will arrive in Japan at either the Tokyo Haneda International Airport (Haneda), Tokyo Narita International Airport (Narita) or Yokota Air Base.

Arrival at Yokota Air Base (About 25 miles from Camp Zama)

After your flight has arrived, you will be met by a MAC representative who will escort all passengers to the Inbound Customs and Immigration Area. There you will be given a general briefing concerning immigration and customs clearance procedures, instructions on how to complete the immigration and customs forms and the location of the baggage pickup area.

After completion of immigration formalities, you will pick up your bags and go to the customs inspection area for inbound customs inspection. If any of your baggage is missing or damaged, you should file a claim with Lost and Found before you leave the baggage area. Your sponsor may meet you either at Yokota AB terminal or upon your arrival at Camp Zama. It is about a 90-minute drive from Yokota to Camp Zama.

Haneda International Airport (About 28 miles from Camp Zama)

MWR Airport Van Transportation Service offers flexibility with pickup time and location, allowing you to schedule your airport transport at your convenience. Request Form for MWR Transportation must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the reservation date.

If no transportation arrangements have been made and there are no TMP vehicles in the airport vicinity, you will be given instructions on how to proceed to Camp Zama by using the Commercial Limousine Bus from Haneda International Terminal 3 to Sagami Ono Station. You will see the ticket counter ahead of you slightly left once you get off the baggage claim. Purchase a ticket to Sagami Ono Station for 1,700 yen, about $17. Take the escalator to first floor and go to bus stop #9.

Note:

• First bus departs from Haneda Terminal 3 at 8 a.m. and arrives Sagami Ono Station at 9 a.m. (Kanachu-Bus)
• Last bus departure from Haneda Terminal 3 at 10:30 p.m. arriving at Sagami Ono Station at 11:40 p.m. (Kanachu-Bus)

Transfer to Camp Zama from Sagami Ono Station

• Transfer services from Sagami Ono station to Camp Zama are available through Zama MWR. Reservations must be made three days in advance.
• Train: Other option includes taking Odakyu Line from Sagami Ono Station to Sobudai Mae Station which is the closest station to Camp Zama.

Arrival at Tokyo, Narita International Airport (About 75 miles from Camp Zama)

If you arrive at Narita, passenger arrival processing is as follows:

• Clearance is through Japanese quarantine (second floor).
• Immigration is next (second floor). After completion, go downstairs to the baggage claim area.
• Claim your luggage at the designated baggage carousel (first floor) and proceed through customs.

Commercial Limousine Bus from Narita International Airport to Sagami Ono Station. You may purchase your ticket at the Airport Express Bus Service Counter in the airport arrival lobby.

• NRT T1 Bus Stop #8
• NRT T2 Bus Stop #10
• NRT T3 Bus Stop #11
• Bus Ticket: 3,900 Yen/$25

Train - The Keisei Skyliner operates every 30 minutes from the Keisei Narita Airport Train Station, located behind the Airport Administrative Building, to the Keisei Ueno Train Station in downtown Tokyo. Skyliner service between the Station is approximately 1,560 yen including the surcharge.

Taxi - Taxi travel from Narita to downtown Tokyo is expensive and discouraged. Fares are approximately 16,000 yen including expressway charge and travel time estimated at two hours. Taxi fare from Narita to Camp Zama is approximately 30,000 yen. You should expect the fare to be doubled to compensate for the empty return trip. For those on TDY to Camp Zama, the probability of reimbursement for taxi fares to either downtown Tokyo or Camp Zama is doubtful in view of the availability of less costly modes like bus or train.

Shipping Pets – Pets Transportation

All incoming animals must enter Japan only through officially designated ports.

Shipment of dogs weighing more than 150 pounds (this includes the kennel weight) is not authorized on Air Mobility Command flights. All travel arrangements are the responsibility of the pet owner.

Note: Please contact your nearest AMC terminal for the most up-to-date information regarding pet travel.

For military AMC flights, the nearest ports of entry are Kadena and Yokota Air Base. Nearest ports of entry for commercial flights are Narita and Haneda International Airports. All In-processing is done by members of the Japanese Quarantine Service or by U.S. military (if entering from an AMC terminal) and all Japanese requirements are adhered to strictly.

Animal Inspection and Customs When Arriving on Commercial Flights

Pet owners will proceed to the baggage claim area where they will pick up pets along with checked baggage. Owners will then go to the Animal Quarantine Service Counter for quarantine processing. Animal Quarantine Counters are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional charge for import quarantine inspection. Following pet processing, travelers will take both pets and baggage to the Customs Counter.

Service Members will be required to submit USFJ Form 380EJ "Customs Free Import or Export of Cargo or Customs Declaration of Personal Property", which can be obtained at the Transportation Office of the losing installation or at the Customs check point at the port of entry. This form is used to declare personal property and obtain a tax exemption under the Status of Forces Agreement. All pets traveling with a service member must be listed on the USFJ Form 380EJ.

Telephone Contacts

In the event you miss connections with your sponsor, please contact Camp Zama Staff Duty NCO at +011-81-90-3579-6967 from an American line, 090-3579-6967 from a Japanese number or DSN 315-263-5302.

Camp Zama does not have on-base taxi or shuttle services.

The primary mode of transportation between Camp Zama and the Sagamihara Family Housing Areas are train, personal vehicle or bicycle. Public transportation in Japan is clean, safe and efficient. Many personnel utilize the train systems daily.

School Bus Service -- New arrivals should be aware of the local school commuting and walking areas prior to obtaining housing. If housing is obtained outside the school bus commuting area, parents will be responsible for transporting their children between their residence and the school or an existing bus stop with the commuting areas. The gaining base housing referral and school bus offices have information on commuting areas and maps of the school bus routes.

Students requiring bus transportation must register with the DoDDS School Bus Office located at Camp Zama, Bldg 919, Room 508. Hours are 8 a.m. – 4 p.m, Monday - Friday, telephone 315-263-4151.

For those of you assigned duty is at Camp Zama area, you will arrive in Japan at either the Tokyo Haneda International Airport (Haneda) or Tokyo Narita International Airport (Narita) or Yokota Air Base.

Arrival at Yokota Air Base (About 25 miles from Camp Zama)

After your flight has arrived, you will be met by a MAC representative who will escort all passengers to the Inbound Customs and Immigration Area. There you will be given a general briefing concerning immigration and customs clearance procedures, instructions on how to complete the immigration and customs forms, and the location of the baggage pickup area.

After completion of immigration formalities, you will pick up your bags and go to the customs inspection area for inbound customs inspection. If any of your baggage is missing or damaged, you should file a claim with Lost and Found before you leave the baggage area. Your sponsor may meet you either at Yokota AB terminal or upon your arrival at Camp Zama. It is about a 90-minute drive from Yokota to Camp Zama.

Arriving at Haneda International Airport (About 28 miles from Camp Zama)

MWR Airport Van Transportation Service offers flexibility with pickup time and location, allowing you to schedule your airport transport at your convenience. Request form →Request Form for MWR Transportation MUST BE submitted at least two weeks prior to the reservation date.

If no transportation arrangements have been made and there are no TMP vehicles in the airport vicinity, you will be given instructions on how to proceed to Camp Zama by using; Commercial Limousine Bus from Haneda International Terminal 3 to Sagami Ono Station. You will see the ticket counter ahead of you slightly left once you get off the baggage claim. Purchase a ticket to Sagami Ono Station 1,700 yen, about $17). Take the escalator to first floor and go to bus stop #9.

NOTE:

• First bus departs from Haneda Terminal 3 at 08:00 am and arrives Sagami Ono Station at 09:00 am. (Kanachu-Bus)
• Last bus departure from Haneda Terminal 3 at 22:30 pm arriving at Sagami Ono Station at 23:40 pm. (Kanachu-Bus)

Transfer to Camp Zama from Sagami Ono Station

• Transfer services from Sagami Ono station to Camp Zama are available through Zama MWR. Reservations MUST be made 3 days in advance.
• Train: Other option includes taking Odakyu Line from Sagami Ono Station to Sobudai Mae Station which is the closest station to Camp Zama.

Arrival at Tokyo, Narita International Airport (About 75 miles from Camp Zama): If you arrive at Narita, passenger arrival processing is as follows:

• Clearance is through Japanese quarantine (Second Floor).
• Immigration is next (Second Floor). After completion, go downstairs to the baggage claim area.
• Claim your luggage at the designated baggage carousel (first floor) and proceed through customs.

--Commercial Limousine Bus from Narita International Airport to Sagami Ono Station. You may purchase your ticket at the Airport Express Bus Service Counter in the airport arrival lobby.

• NRT T1 Bus Stop #8
• NRT T2 Bus Stop #10
• NRT T3 Bus Stop #11
• Bus Ticket: 3,900Yen/$25

--Train - The Keisei Skyliner operates every 30 minutes from the Keisei Narita Airport Train Station, located behind the Airport Administrative Building, to the Keisei Ueno Train Station in downtown Tokyo. Skyliner service between the Station is approximately 1,560 yen including the surcharge.

--Taxi - Taxi travel from Narita to downtown Tokyo is expensive and discouraged. Fares are approximately 16,000 yen including expressway charge, and travel time estimated at 2 hours. Taxi fare from Narita to Camp Zama is approximately 30,000 yen. You should expect the fare to be doubled to compensate for the empty return trip. For those on TDY to Camp Zama, the probability of reimbursement for taxi fares to either downtown Tokyo or Camp Zama is doubtful in view of the availability of less costly modes, i.e., bus or train.