Press Releases
Second Round of Consultations on the Framework on Environmental Stewardship including the Agreement to Supplement the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
1. The second round of consultations toward producing a framework further addressing environmental stewardship including an agreement to supplement the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was held in Tokyo on March 27 (Thursday).
2. The meeting was attended by, from the Japanese side, Mr. Kimitake Nakamura, Director for Japan-U.S. SOFA Division from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Chief Negotiator) and representatives from other relevant Ministries, and from the U.S. side, Mr. Andrew Winternitz, Senior Country Director for Japan from the Department of Defense (Chief Negotiator) and representatives from other relevant departments.
3. Based on the “Joint Announcement on a Framework Regarding Environmental Stewardship at U.S. Armed Forces Facilities and Areas in Japan” announced last December, both sides discussed possible areas of future cooperation and an appropriate framework required to realize the said cooperation.
4. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in the U.S. (Details are to be decided).