Workers attempt to fix electrical issues near Yonban Tower at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Feb. 25, 2025. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — A series of power outages has plagued the home of the U.S. 7th Fleet over the past week, with some sailors and families going without electricity for more than 24 hours.
The string of blackouts began Feb. 17 and continued into Tuesday afternoon, according to a series of posts on Yokosuka’s official Facebook page.
The outages are caused by defective electrical distribution lines that run parallel to steam lines on base, the base said. The steam, along with age and other environmental conditions, has led to “advanced degradation” of the electrical lines.
Base authorities have been aware of the problem¸ which causes “unpredictable disruptions” in power, since 2019, the installation wrote on Facebook in May.
“Our Public Works Team has ensured that procedures are in place and materials are on hand to restore power as quickly as possible when disruptions occur,” that post said.
Base spokesman Justin Keller, in a Tuesday email to Stars and Stripes, said the power outages were connected.
“When one line fails, it can put additional stress on surrounding and connected lines, causing a domino effect,” he wrote. “The recent cluster of connected outages occurred as the fluctuating power from the outage and repair efforts strained aging neighboring power lines.”
The base is planning to initiate another blackout on Thursday for about eight hours to assist with repairs, he added.
The most recent outage began around 1:40 p.m. Monday and continued until around 6:10 p.m. according to a Tuesday evening update to Yokosuka’s Facebook page.
Prior to restoration, at least five housing towers, a section of standalone housing, a Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command building and another base facility were without power Tuesday afternoon, according to the posts
With temperatures averaging around 42 degrees Fahrenheit over the past week, families struggled to stay warm or find alternative lodging, according to several base residents who spoke to Stars and Stripes.
Kristin Royster, the spouse of an active-duty service member, said she’s struggled to adapt to the blackouts because her 10-month-old child recently weaned off breastfeeding.
“We are solely relying on formula right now because we don’t have electricity to thaw and warm our baby’s bottles even with the breast milk in the freezer,” she said by email Tuesday.
The base notified affected families that temporary lodging was available, but the Navy Gateway Inn & Suites and the Navy Lodge had no availability as of 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Off-base hotels, such as the New Yokosuka Hotel, had vacancies that afternoon, but most hotels in the area don’t allow pets.
“As a family with a pet, finding temporary lodging is not an easy task off base, so we have had to stay in our house each time,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Kristie Pierre, a logistics specialist for the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge.
Pierre said her family has been without power for more than 30 hours over a span of five days for “no less than nine hours each time,” she told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday via Messenger.
