Japan -- Talks on SOFA Issues

Question:   Is there any movement with the Status of Forces Agreement with the Japanese?

Answer:   On July 31 and August 1, U.S. and Japanese officials met in Washington, DC, to continue discussions on criminal jurisdiction procedures under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The 45 days of discussions began as a result of an agreement reached in Tokyo on June 18 when the U.S. agreed to the pre-indictment custody transfer of a service member. The discussions focused on procedural measures that the U.S. has requested since the beginning of negotiations that led to the 1995 agreement creating the possibility of pre-indictment custody transfers.

Both sides acknowledged that the four meetings had been useful in deepening each other's understanding of their respective positions. Although both sides expended considerable effort to refine and explain their respective proposals, substantial differences continue to exist.

The two sides continue to study each other's proposals and will report the outcome of the series of meetings to their respective senior officials for the consideration of future steps.