Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=07/10/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=JAPAN / U-S MILITARY (L-O)

NUMBER= 2-278059

BYLINE=AMY BICKERS

DATELINE=TOKYO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A Japanese parliamentary committee has passed a resolution demanding a review of the agreement covering U-S troops based in the country. The move follows the arrest of a U-S Air Force sergeant on rape charges that was delayed for days as U-S officials hesitated to turn him over. V-O-A's Amy Bickers reports from Tokyo.

TEXT: Five-days after Japanese police took custody of U-S Sergeant Timothy Woodland and arrested him on rape charges, a powerful committee of Japan's lower house of Parliament passed a resolution saying Japan needs to examine the pact governing U-S troops in the country.

The agreement, called the Japan-U-S Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, states that Japan must seek the approval of the United States before arresting American service people stationed in the country.

The lower-house Foreign Affairs Committee's resolution criticizes the U-S military for failing to prevent crimes committed by American troops serving in Japan and demands criminal suspects be swiftly surrendered to Japanese authorities.

The government of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has taken a softer line, stressing the need to make the current agreement more effective, rather than revising it. His foreign minister, Makiko Tanaka, addressed the committee Tuesday.

/// TANAKA ACT IN JAPANESE, UP AND UNDER ///

She says that Japan and the United States have agreed to abide by the agreement and that both sides are doing their best to reduce the burden of hosting U-S troops shouldered by the people of Okinawa.

At a news conference, Japan's government spokesman, Yasuo Fukuda, said that the resolution is not calling for an immediate revision of the U-S Japan agreement. Rather, he notes it is calling for a thorough examination of the pact and how it can be improved.

Sergeant Woodland's hand over last Friday was delayed for several days as U-S officials negotiated with Japan on how he would be treated in Japanese custody. Japanese police allege that Sergeant Woodland raped an Okinawan woman in a parking lot on June 29th. Prosecutors are now building their case against him and are expected to file charges in less than a week. Sergeant Woodland denies wrongdoing.

The allegations revived anti-base sentiment in Okinawa, where 26-thousand U-S troops are stationed. But the Woodland case has not spawned the widespread civilian protests against the U-S military presence that other sex crimes cases against U-S servicemen have. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/AB/JO/RAE