Press Releases
Entry into Force of the New Special Measures Agreement (SMA)
1. The New Special Measures Agreement entered into force on April 1, 2016, after diplomatic notes indicating the approval in accordance with the respective internal legal procedures were exchanged between Japan and the United States of America.
2. Given the security environment surrounding Japan which has become increasingly severe, Host Nation Support by Japan under the new SMA plays a vital role in sustaining a smooth and effective operation of United States Armed Forces, Japan as well as maintaining and strengthening the Japan-US alliance.
(Reference)
(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.
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. (1)
Utilities Costs: From JFY 2016, the percentage of the annual utilities costs funded by GOJ will be decreased to 61% (2) 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.
(ⅰ) The upper limit of the number of workers funded by GOJ working at revenue generating 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.
(ⅱ) 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.