The United States asked Japan during talks in July and August to allow U.S. officials to be present during all interrogations of military personnel suspected of committing crimes in Japan, including those arrested at the crime scene, Japanese and U.S. government sources said Sunday.
The talks on revising the criminal procedures for U.S. military personnel in Japan under the Status of Forces Agreement collapsed in August without producing an agreement.
In Japan, the presence of lawyers or other officials is not permitted when police question suspects who have been placed under arrest.