Despite persistent demands from Okinawa Prefecture for sweeping revisions to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, the central government is hoping the most recent surge in anti-American sentiment can be appeased by improvements in the implementation of the pact.
While the SOFA, which governs the activities of the U.S. military in Japan, often attracts attention when U.S. military personnel are suspects in off-base crimes, the agreement covers a wide range of issues such as the use of facilities, immigration procedures for military personnel, taxes and driving licenses.
Pressured by Okinawa's insistence for steps to be implemented to update the 40-year-old SOFA, most recently highlighted by a U.S. Marine being charged with serial arson last month, Japan and the United States agreed Thursday to start discussions on expanding the jurisdiction of Japanese authorities in crimes involving U.S. service personnel.