National Security

• Author: International Law Group

On September 11, 2000, Japan and the U.S. signed an agreement regarding U.S. armed forces in Japan, pursuant to the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security of January 19, 1960 [11 U.S.T. 1652, 373 U.N.T.S. 248], and their Agreement on U.S. facilities and armed forces in Japan of September 27, 1995.

The new Agreement determines that Japan will bear the wages for employees of the U.S. armed forces in Japan, as well as electricity, gas, and water supply for U.S. facilities. Japan will also cover all relocation expenses if it requests the U.S. to change any facilities. [The latter provision appears of special importance for Okinawa, where the presence of U.S. forces has created tension.] The new Agreement will enter into...