U.S. and Japan Sign Alliance Support Agreement

January 25, 2008

U.S. Ambassador to Japan J. Thomas Schieffer and Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura today signed a new three-year Special Measures Agreement (SMA) governing Japanese host nation support to defray the expense of stationing U.S. forces in Japan. Host nation support is an important Japanese contribution to the U.S.-Japan alliance and a key element of our responsibility-sharing relationship.

Under the new SMA, Japan will pay the salaries of 23,055 Japanese base workers, fund training relocation for U.S. forces within Japan (approximately 27 million dollars per year), and provide 25.3 billion yen (253 million dollars) in Japanese fiscal year 2008 and 24.9 billion yen (249 million dollars) in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 for utilities expenses on U.S. bases.

During the period of the new SMA, the United States and Japan intend to conduct a comprehensive review of all elements of host nation support in order to create a structure that more effectively and efficiently supports the U.S. military's mission to defend Japan and provide peace and security for the region.