A sign in English and Japanese warns that asbestos is being removed from the Mediterranean Bistro at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 10, 2023. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A restaurant that opened at this airlift hub in western Tokyo as a healthy alternative to fast food has closed for asbestos removal.
The Mediterranean Bistro, inside Yokota’s Yujo Community Center, was shuttered on July 10 for six weeks, according to a post on the Force Support Squadron’s website. Yokota is the headquarters for the 374th Airlift Wing, 5th Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan.
A sign on the restaurant’s door states: “Danger, asbestos removal in progress, do not enter.” Surrounding red tape bears the warning: “Danger asbestos hazard.”
The restaurant serves hummus, Greek salads and made-to-order paninis, among other items.
The remainder of the community center, where a travel agency, travel help desk, insurance office and USO are housed, was still open for business as of Friday.
A sign in English and Japanese warns that asbestos is being removed from the Mediterranean Bistro at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 10, 2023. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
The base had not responded by Friday to questions emailed Monday about the restaurant closing and the presence of asbestos there.
Base residents took to the Yokota Community Facebook page to express concern about the closure. About 25 people had commented by Friday; none contacted for further comment by Stars and Stripes responded.
Materials containing asbestos were found in August 2014 in a dumpster near building 4446 on Yokota’s east side, according to a base news release at the time. The dumpster was sealed and marked in English and Japanese.
The Air Force frequently used asbestos within buildings and machinery on many bases built before the 1980s, according to Mesothelioma.com. Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos exposure that commonly forms in the lining around the lungs or abdomen.
Overseas air bases in the Indo-Pacific where asbestos was found include the former Clark Air Base in the Philippines; Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, and Suwon Air Base in Suwon, South Korea, according to the website.
Materials that contain asbestos are not dangerous if they remain intact, according to Mesothelioma.com. But the fibers could be released if the materials are disturbed or damaged, such as during construction, demolition or repairs.
Asbestos exposure can cause cancer 20 to 60 years after exposure, according to Asbestos.com, a site run by the Mesothelioma Center. That latent period can complicate a Veterans Affairs claim based on asbestos exposure.
