Source (in Japanese): https://www.nagasaki-np.co.jp/kijis/?kijiid=cb309084ebfb449d98efd50db0d44513
(With contributions from Tha Dogg Pound/Twitter (X) )
U.S. Military Radio Station AFN Sasebo Moves to FM, Expanding Its Coverage
2026/07/04 [12:20]
If you tune in to FM radio in Sasebo City, you’ll find a station playing American music and English-language programming. It’s AFN Sasebo, a radio service for U.S. military personnel and civilian employees working at U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo. Last June, the station transitioned from AM to FM broadcasting. It is only the second AFN station in Japan to broadcast on FM after Okinawa, marking the first new AFN FM service in Japan in about 70 years. The station has also become a bridge between the American and Japanese communities through its broadcasts.
The American Forces Network (AFN) is the U.S. military’s television and radio service for personnel stationed overseas. In Japan, AFN operates stations in Sasebo, Misawa, Tokyo, Iwakuni, and Okinawa. The Sasebo station includes its own radio booth and production studio on the base.
AFN Sasebo broadcasts from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Its programming includes the latest U.S. Top 40 hits, military news and event information, traffic updates for Kyushu, exchange rates, weather forecasts, and commentary on current events selected by its DJs.
According to Jack Pridham, the station’s radio manager and DJ, the station also provides information about local community news, such as new parks, as well as practical advice like preparing for approaching typhoons. Guided by the concept of helping listeners “be good citizens,” the station also explains everyday topics such as garbage disposal rules and Japan’s new bicycle traffic citation system introduced this April, helping American residents adapt to life in Japan.
AFN was formerly known as the Far East Network (FEN) and had broadcast on AM for many years. In 2014, however, the station’s AM antenna at Sasebo was damaged, leaving internet streaming as the only way to listen. This prompted discussions about switching to FM. With the involvement of the Japanese government, more than ten years of coordination and a three-month trial period eventually led to the launch of the FM service.
Although FM generally has a smaller coverage area than AM, it offers higher audio quality and better indoor reception. According to the U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes, AFN Sasebo’s AM signal had become so weak that it barely reached nearby residential areas, whereas the new FM service has significantly expanded the station’s coverage. The FM system is also expected to reduce long-term operating costs, and AFN plans to use Sasebo as a model for expanding FM broadcasting to other locations.
Since the days of FEN, the station has been popular among local residents in Sasebo. Following the FM launch, many Japanese listeners contacted the station with questions. Pridham said he has also received feedback from Japanese listeners. “I always assumed our listeners were only Americans, so it was a little embarrassing—but also very gratifying. I hope people in Sasebo will enjoy listening for whatever reason they like, whether it’s American music or improving their English.”
AFN Sasebo broadcasts on 93.1 MHz FM and is also available through the AFN Go website and mobile app.
Akiyoshi Teraoka to WOR iog(2026-07-06)