U.S. Forces Japan Station Expenses Policy to Conclude Early Negotiations

U.S. Forces Japan Expenses for Early Negotiations Aiming to Conclude Policy Japan-U.S. Governments Consensus November 11, 12:31

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The Japanese and US governments have agreed to hold the first formal negotiations by practitioners in Washington over the Japanese side's burden of the cost of stationing US forces in Japan, aiming to conclude the negotiations as soon as possible.

Next year, the Japanese side will proceed with negotiations centered on a plan to temporarily maintain the current level.

The Japanese side bears the cost of stationing US forces in Japan, the so-called "compassionate budget," in which the Japanese government bears part of the salaries and utility costs of employees working at US military bases, and every five years. Prior discussions were held last month as the "special agreement" that has been signed will expire in March next year.

In light of the US presidential election, the US and Japanese governments held the first formal negotiations with foreign and defense officials in Washington, DC, on the 9th and 10th of local time. It was.

In this, the two governments shared the recognition that the Japanese side's burden of stationing expenses plays an important role in securing the activities of the U.S. Forces in Japan, which is the core of the Japan-US alliance. Considering the work of formulating the budget for the next fiscal year on the side, we agreed on a policy of aiming for an early conclusion of negotiations.

On the Japanese side, considering that the US side is in the transition period, next year we will proceed with negotiations aiming for an agreement by the end of next month, centering on a plan to temporarily maintain the current level.

Chief Cabinet Secretary "It is important to further strengthen the strong unity of the Japan-US alliance."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato said at a press conference in the morning, "For both Japan and the United States, the cost of stationing US forces in Japan is important for ensuring the smooth and effective activities of the US forces in Japan, which are the core of the Japan-US alliance. We reaffirmed that we have played a key role, and confirmed that it is important to further strengthen the strong unity of the Japan-US alliance, and hope that we will obtain results that benefit both sides. I also shared the recognition that I am. "