Japan Press Weekly

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2013 October 9 - 15 [US FORCES]

US forces agree to report more on punishment of perpetrators

Victims of crimes committed by U.S. military personnel will be allowed access to more information about how their perpetrators are treated after their arrest. Japanese Communist Party Akamine’s effort partially bore fruit.

The Japanese and U.S. governments agreed to provide Japanese victims and their families with information of court judgments, punishments, and disciplinary measures, the Japan’s Foreign Ministry on October 8 announced. This measure will be part of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, and will take effect in January 2014.

The U.S. military has informed the Japanese government of only the finalized judgment in the past. The Japan side has been told nothing if an offender received disciplinary punishment without being taken to court or was even penalized in any way.

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Akamine Seiken on May 23 at a meeting of the House Committee on Security called for a procedure which will enable victims to know about the details of court trials and punishments.

The new agreement requires the U.S. to inform Japan of court decisions at each level of appeal. Even if a case is not brought to trial, the U.S. will also have to disclose information about whether a criminal is punished or not and what penalty, if any, is imposed.

The Japanese government will be allowed to inform victims of the court decisions or punishments. With the offenders’ consent, the victims will be informed of the punishment imposed.