Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO)

RENGO pressed the MOFA to reconsider the Status of Forces Agreement between Japan and the U.S.

On 8 February, RENGO pressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to reconsider the Status of Forces Agreement between Japan and the U.S. with a view to the finalization of the report on the transformation of the United States Forces in Japan (USFJ) expected to be settled by the end of March this year, as well as on the division of work between the USFJ and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.

RENGO General-Secretary Mr. Koga emphasized in the meeting with the MOFA Undersecretary Mr. Yachi that local people had increased anxiety about the USFJ transformation and thus demanded prefectural assemblies to adopt an anti-Agreement resolution. He asked the MOFA to do a drastic review of the Agreement, reorganize/reduce US bases, and be fully accountable to the people. Mr. Yachi limited to saying “it would be reasonable to react by improving the application of the Agreement." However, he promised that the MOFA would continue consulting RENGO on how the Agreement should be treated.