Japan, US agree on US military crimes in Japan

Japan and the United States have agreed to release more information about US trials of American military personnel or contractors accused of committing crimes in Japan. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters about the agreement, which was reached by a Japan-US joint committee of diplomatic and defense officials last night, according to Japan's (NHK WORLD) website. The agreement to revise the implementation of the Japan-US status of forces agreement came at the request of Okinawa Prefecture, where many American military bases are located. At present, if the US conducts trials of American military personnel or its civilian employees for crimes committed in Japan, the Japanese government is only notified of verdicts and sentences. The agreement was revised to require the US side to regularly brief the Japanese government on court procedures, the contents of punishments and other trial details. After January, crime victims and their families will be entitled to seek the disclosure of such information via the Japanese government.