Board of Audit says Defense Ministry paid for use of toll roads by U.S. forces

Japan Press Weekly

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Board of Audit says Defense Ministry paid for use of toll roads by U.S. forces

The Board of Audit on October 23 said that it was inappropriate for the Defense Ministry to pay for the U.S. forces’ use of Japanese toll roads for private purposes such as for leisure without confirming that they were for official duties.

Under the “Status of Forces Agreement” between Japan and the United States, U.S. military vehicles can use Japan’s toll roads for free. The Japanese Defense Ministry compensates for U.S. forces’ use of toll roads based on free passage tickets submitted by the users to expressway operators.

In fiscal 2008 (April 2008-March 2009), the Defense Ministry paid out 860 million yen, including 440 million yen for passenger cars.

By examining 18,000 free passage tickets (amounting to about 21 million yen) issued by the U.S. Forces and submitted by users at tollgates, the Board of Audit found omissions and inaccurate statements (regarding destinations and used sections) on 15,000 tickets.

The Board of Audit also found that the U.S. Misawa Air Force Base issued 5,100 tickets for rental car users.

The Defense Ministry paid the compensation without questioning the statements on the tickets.

A House of Councilors committee meeting criticized the government for paying for U.S. military personnel’s use of toll roads for leisure purposes and for allowing the inappropriate practice to continue.

- Akahata, October 24, 2009