AGREEMENT
BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
RELATING TO THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES IN JAPAN,
SUPPLEMENTARY TO 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

Japan and the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as “the United States”), hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”;

 Confirming that the United States armed forces in Japan (hereinafter referred to as “the United States armed forces”) under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as “the Treaty”) and 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 (hereinafter referred to as “the Status of Forces Agreement”), both signed at Washington on January 19, 1960, contribute to the security of Japan and the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East;

 Acknowledging the importance of environmental stewardship and its contribution to managing risks to public safety in relation to the presence of the United States armed forces, including the prevention of pollution in, adjacent to, or in the vicinity of the facilities and areas in Japan the use of which is granted to the United States under Article VI of the Treaty (hereinafter referred to as “the facilities and areas”);

 Recognizing the Parties’ successful efforts for environmental stewardship, including many decades of close cooperation in the Joint Committee provided for in paragraph 1 of Article XXV of the Status of Forces Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “the Joint Committee”) and the Environmental Subcommittee and other relevant subcommittees of the Joint Committee;

 
 Reaffirming the successful implementation of the “Joint Statement of Environmental Principles” announced by the Parties on September 11, 2000, which includes reference to United States policy relating to addressing the impact of contamination caused by the United States armed forces as well as Japan’s policy to respond appropriately, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, to serious contamination caused by sources outside of the facilities and areas;

 Reaffirming that operations in the facilities and areas continue to be carried on with due regard for the public safety in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article III of the Status of Forces Agreement; and

 Wishing to strengthen cooperation between the Parties in the field of environmental stewardship by establishing a framework, including this Agreement which supplements the Status of Forces Agreement;

 Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1

 The purpose of this Agreement is to enhance cooperation between the Parties for environmental stewardship in relation to the United States armed forces. 

ARTICLE 2

 The Parties shall continue to cooperate fully, through the framework of the Joint Committee, to provide to one another available and appropriate information regarding situations that could affect public safety, including human health and safety, in, adjacent to, or in the vicinity of the facilities and areas.

ARTICLE 3

1. In accordance with United States policy, the United States issues and maintains final governing standards for the environment (referred to in Japan as “Japan Environmental Governing Standards” and hereinafter referred to as “the JEGS”) that provide environmental compliance standards, including provisions for spill response and prevention, for the activities of the United States armed forces within the facilities and areas.  The United States is responsible for providing policy on these environmental compliance standards.

 
2. The JEGS generally adopt the more protective of applicable United States standards, Japan standards, or international agreement standards.

3. Prior to the United States issuing each revision of the JEGS, or whenever requested by Japan to facilitate such revision of the JEGS, the Parties shall, within the Environmental Subcommittee of the Joint Committee, cooperate and discuss Japan standards to ensure that the United States correctly and accurately understands Japan standards with respect to the JEGS.

ARTICLE 4

 The Parties agree that the Joint Committee shall establish and maintain procedures so that specified Japan authorities have appropriate access to the facilities and areas in the following two cases:

 (a) Following a contemporaneous environmental incident, i.e., a spill; and 

 (b) For site surveys, including cultural asset surveys, associated with the return to Japan of the facilities and areas, including those facilities and areas to be returned to Japan mentioned in the Joint Statement of the Japan-United States Security Consultative Committee (SCC) on October 3, 2013.

ARTICLE 5

1. Upon request by either Party, the Parties shall initiate consultations through the framework of the Joint Committee on any matter regarding the implementation of this Agreement.

2. If any dispute arises between the Parties relating to the implementation of this Agreement, the Parties shall settle it in accordance with the procedures for resolving matters set out in Article XXV of the Status of Forces Agreement.

ARTICLE 6

1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of signature.

2. This Agreement shall remain in force as long as the Status of Forces Agreement remains in force.

 
3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2 of this Article, either Party may terminate this Agreement by giving one year’s written notice through diplomatic channels to the other Party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, duly authorized for the purpose, have signed the present Agreement. 

 DONE in duplicate at Washington in the Japanese and English languages, both texts being equally authentic, 
this twenty-eighth day of September, 2015.





FOR JAPAN:                    FOR THE UNITED STATES
                                    OF AMERICA:

(Signed)                         (Signed)
Fumio Kishida                  Ashton Carter