Press Releases
Signing of the New Special Measures Agreement (SMA)
(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)
January 22, 2016
1 Background
(1) Since 1987, Japan has borne part of the costs, which the United States is obliged to bear under the provision of Article XXIV of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), by concluding SMAs as special measures relating to the SOFA, noting situations involving both countries, and with a view to ensuring the effective operations of U.S. Forces in Japan (USFJ).
(2) In light of the fact that the current SMA remains in force until March 31, 2016, the Government of Japan (GOJ) and the Government of the United States of America (USG) have had discussions. As a result, H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Ms. Caroline B. Kennedy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Japan, signed the new SMA on January 22 in Tokyo.
2 Outline of the New SMA
(1) Effective Period: Five years (from Japanese Fiscal Year (JFY) 2016 through JFY 2020)
(2) Expenditures to be borne by Japan:
Japan will bear the labor costs, the utilities costs and the training relocation costs under the new SMA.
Policies for the implementation of the new SMA: Notes between Minister Kishida and Ambassador Kennedy concerning the new SMA
Labor Costs:
The upper limit of the number of workers funded by GOJ will be increased from current 22,625 to 23,178 in a phased manner. (note1)
Utilities Costs:
From JFY 2016, the percentage of the annual utilities costs funded by GOJ will be decreased to 61% (note2) and the upper limit of the annual utilities costs funded by GOJ will remain approximately JPY 24.9 billion yen.
Training Relocation Costs:
The current framework will be maintained.
(note1) The upper limit of the number of workers funded by GOJ working at welfare, recreation and morale facilities will be reduced from 4,408 to 3,893, and the upper limit of the number of workers funded by GOJ engaged in the activities such as maintenance of assets and administrative works will be increased from 18,217 to 19,285.
(note2) The percentage of the annual utilities costs funded by GOJ under the current SMA is 72%.
(3) Cost Saving Efforts by the United States:
The United States will make further efforts to economize the above-mentioned expenditures.
3 Significance of Concluding the new SMA
Since the security environment surrounding Japan has become increasingly severe, Host Nation Support by Japan under the new SMA plays a vital role in sustaining a stable presence of USFJ as well as maintaining and strengthening the Japan-US alliance.
(1) Since 1987, Japan has borne part of the costs, which the United States is obliged to bear under the provision of Article XXIV of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), by concluding SMAs as special measures relating to the SOFA, noting situations involving both countries, and with a view to ensuring the effective operations of U.S. Forces in Japan (USFJ).
(2) In light of the fact that the current SMA remains in force until March 31, 2016, the Government of Japan (GOJ) and the Government of the United States of America (USG) have had discussions. As a result, H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Ms. Caroline B. Kennedy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Japan, signed the new SMA on January 22 in Tokyo.
2 Outline of the New SMA
(1) Effective Period: Five years (from Japanese Fiscal Year (JFY) 2016 through JFY 2020)
(2) Expenditures to be borne by Japan:
Japan will bear the labor costs, the utilities costs and the training relocation costs under the new SMA.
Policies for the implementation of the new SMA: Notes between Minister Kishida and Ambassador Kennedy concerning the new SMA
Labor Costs:
The upper limit of the number of workers funded by GOJ will be increased from current 22,625 to 23,178 in a phased manner. (note1)
Utilities Costs:
From JFY 2016, the percentage of the annual utilities costs funded by GOJ will be decreased to 61% (note2) and the upper limit of the annual utilities costs funded by GOJ will remain approximately JPY 24.9 billion yen.
Training Relocation Costs:
The current framework will be maintained.
(note1) The upper limit of the number of workers funded by GOJ working at welfare, recreation and morale facilities will be reduced from 4,408 to 3,893, and the upper limit of the number of workers funded by GOJ engaged in the activities such as maintenance of assets and administrative works will be increased from 18,217 to 19,285.
(note2) The percentage of the annual utilities costs funded by GOJ under the current SMA is 72%.
(3) Cost Saving Efforts by the United States:
The United States will make further efforts to economize the above-mentioned expenditures.
3 Significance of Concluding the new SMA
Since the security environment surrounding Japan has become increasingly severe, Host Nation Support by Japan under the new SMA plays a vital role in sustaining a stable presence of USFJ as well as maintaining and strengthening the Japan-US alliance.
- 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 (PDF)
- Agreed Minutes to 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, Signed at Tokyo on January 22, 2016 (PDF)
- Notes (PDF)