Weight allowance restrictions lifted for Japan

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Beginning March 1, accompanied Air Force members arriving in Japan will be allowed to ship their full Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR) weight entitlement.

Previous policy allowed only 25 percent JFTR weight entitlement to be shipped to Japan.

"I think it's going to be a good thing. People can now bring their couch or favorite easy chair," said Ms. Elizabeth Perry, the housing manager here.

Despite the 100 percent weight allowance, inbound personnel are cautioned against shipping everything they own. Housing off-base in Japan is generally smaller than those in the U.S. and that should be taken into account. The homes off-base range from 800 to 1400 square feet. The square footage of homes on base is generally the same.

"The smallest unit we have here is 1,038 square feet and the largest is 1, 585 square feet," said Ms. Perry.

Any military members arriving here can see base housing floor plans via e-mail ahead of time, allowing them to decide what they want to bring.

"Incoming personnel can send the housing office a DD form 1746, an advanced application, to reserve a home," said Ms. Perry. "It's a success story because they are in continuous contact with us. We don't want anyone to have any hardship with this 100 percent JFTR because it's a positive thing."

Storage is not available at Misawa, so members are also highly encouraged to bring only essential furniture items to include living room set, dining room set and bedroom set, while storing non-essential furnishing items in storage stateside. Excess property shipped to Japan that will not fit or is too large to fit in the home will not be stored at government expense.

Additionally, inbound personnel should not ship major appliances, king size beds, large German shrunks, Jacuzzi, large antique furniture, grandfather clocks, waterbeds and any oversized furniture items.

Basic loaner furniture is available for 90 days by the Furnishing Management Office for those who require it.

Air Force personnel assigned to non-Air Force installations receive the same weight entitlements as host-base personnel, unless their gaining MPF dictates a higher weight allowance.

Unaccompanied members are authorized an unaccompanied baggage shipment or 10 percent of their full JFTR weight entitlement. Any additional authorized weight must be identified on the member's PCS orders.

For more information, contact the Misawa Housing Office at housing@misawa.af.mil or call DSN: 315-226-3200.