Photo Gallery Summer 2001.html

To support the new guidelines, both governments agreed in April 1998 to a revised Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement that expands the provision of supplies and services, to include reciprocal provision of logistics support during situations surrounding Japan that have an important influence on Japan’s peace and security. Japan approved implementing legislation for the new guidelines in May 1999, opening the door for expanding the scope of our cooperation.

U.S. Marine F/A-18 Hornets at Marine Corps Station Iwakuni, Japan, taxi during a KEEN SWORD exercise.

Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo.

Since I arrived at Headquarters, USFJ almost a year and a half ago, our two governments have reached agreement on bilateral planning mechanisms for deliberate peacetime planning – the Coordination and Liaison Forum – and for crisis or contingency planning – the Bilateral Coordination Mechanism. From peacekeeping, to humanitarian relief, to responding to regional crisis that affect Japan’s security, to the defense of Japan itself, these very significant steps will markedly improve our ability to respond together.

Vigilance is not Without Cost

Okinawa is the vital element of our alliance with Japan and key to our presence in the region. We understand the burden this places on the people of Okinawa.

Former Ambassador to Japan Thomas S. Foley

Japan’s generous host-nation support for the U.S. overseas presence serves as a critical strategic contribution to the alliance and to regional security. Last year we concluded a new 5-year Special Measures Agreement that maintains Japan’s essential host-nation support for about 47,000 U.S. service men and women stationed in Japan. These U.S. soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines are far from home, conducting rigorous training and exercises to maintain capabilities necessary to accomplish tasks in support of Japanese homeland defense and other potential security crises in the region. Approximately 26,000 of these troops are in the southern island of Okinawa.

U.S. Air Force MSgt. Robert Wood coordinates maintenance activities at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, during a Japan-U.S. COPE NORTH air exercise.

Photo by MSgt. Val Gempis, USAF

The governments of the United States and Japan recognize the burdens imposed on the Japanese people by the presence of U.S. military bases, particularly in Okinawa where these facilities are highly concentrated. Our two countries have devoted special attention to the question of how to reduce the “footprint” on Okinawa and diminish this burden on the people there. To help achieve this aim, we established the bilateral Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) to reduce, realign, and consolidate U.S facilities on Okinawa, adjust operational procedures, and improve implementation of the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement while still maintaining our vital operational capabilities. SACO issued 27 recommendations of which 15 are complete.

Of those remaining, we have made significant progress over the last few months with the centerpiece of the SACO recommendations – the return of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. A number of issues remain to resolve, but the recent progress by the Government of Japan along with the Okinawa Prefectural and Municipal Governments in determining location and type of construction for the replacement facility suggests we will resolve them satisfactorily. Along with the return of Futenma recommendation, we are now focusing intently on the remaining 11 issues.

Conclusion

The U.S.-Japan alliance is the single most important bilateral relationship in Asia. It will be as important to Asia’s future as it has been to Asia’s past.... In this era of uncertainty – the certainty of the U.S.-Japan Alliance is the very foundation upon which rest the peace, the prosperity and the stability of the entire region.

Former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen

A U.S. soldier briefs Gen. Yuji Fujinawa, Chairman, Joint Staff Council, concerning U.S. equipment.

Official U.S. Army Photo

I am confident that the U.S.-Japan security relationship, anchored by the combined efforts of the JSDF and forward-deployed U.S. forces in Japan, will support the continued security and prosperity of Asia as we move into the new millennium. The U.S.-Japan security alliance has been flexible and adaptive, adjusting from a Cold War stance to the security needs of a new era. We now look at even greater challenges with the social, economic, and political changes occurring across the Asia-Pacific region. U.S. Forces, Japan, in partnership with the Japan Self-Defense Forces, provides the stability necessary to bring forth new prosperity and better living conditions for the people of the region during this time of dynamic change. Together we will meet this challenge and herald another 50 years even more dynamic and prosperous than the alliance’s first 50 years.