The Agreement between Japan and the United states of America concerning New Special Measures relating to Article XXIV of the Agreement under Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America regarding Facilities and Areas and the Status of United States Armed Forces in Japan Enters into Force

May 1, 2008

The Agreement between Japan and the United States of America concerning New Special Measures relating to Article XXIV of the Agreement under Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America, regarding Facilities and Areas and the Status of United States Armed Forces in Japan entered into force on May 1 after diplomatic notes notifying the approval of the respective internal legal procedures were exchanged between Japan and the United States of America.
Japan’s host nation support expenditures for U.S. Armed Forces in Japan through this Special Measures Agreement will help secure the smooth and effective operation of the Japan-U.S. security arrangements at a time when there is still uncertainty and instability in the Asia Pacific Region, and will play a very important role in the alliance between Japan and the U.S. Today’s entry into force of the Agreement is therefore extremely significant.

References

(1) Term: The new Special Measures Agreement is a 3-year agreement.

(2) Expenditures to be borne by Japan:

Labor Costs: The current framework of Labor Costs is maintained and the Upper Limit of the Number of Workers is the same as that of the current SMA (23,055).
Utilities Costs: The GOJ provides utilities equivalent to \25.3 billion (JFY 2007 level) for JFY 2008 and those equivalent to \24.9 billion (1.5% reduction of JFY 2007 level) for JFY 2009 and 2010.
Training Relocation Costs: The current framework of Training Relocation is maintained.

(3) US Cost-Saving Efforts: The US will make further efforts to economize the above expenditures.

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