Japan–United States relations

Okinawa women demand sex remark apology

Agence France-PresseMay 15, 2013 04:15

Women on Japan's island chain of Okinawa on Wednesday demanded an apology from an outspoken Japanese politician who suggested US troops there make use of its thriving sex industry. The comments from Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto earlier this week came as he also said "comfort women" -- who most historians agree were pressed into sexual slavery for the Japanese imperial army during World War II -- served a "necessary" role in keeping soldiers in line.

U.S. Marines expect to stay in Okinawa's Futenma base 10-15 more yrs

Kyodo News InternationalMay 10, 2013 00:30

The U.S. Marine Corps expects to use the Futenma Air Station in Japan's southwestern island prefecture of Okinawa for at least another 10 to 15 years, a top Marine officer told a Senate hearing on Thursday amid a stalemate over the base's contentious relocation plan.

Hashimoto clarifies remarks on "comfort women" after flak

Kyodo News InternationalMay 7, 2013 12:30

Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto on Wednesday sought to clarify his remarks on a system to recruit women into sexual servitude for Japan's soldiers during World War II, saying he personally does not condone the scheme. Two days after he made controversial remarks that the so-called comfort women were "necessary to maintain discipline" in the Japanese military, Hashimoto told reporters he simply stated a fact that people at the time had that kind of view.

Hagel vows defense commitments to Japan, including nuclear umbrella

Kyodo News InternationalApril 30, 2013 15:57

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday stressed U.S. defense commitments to Japan, including the nuclear umbrella, in the face of growing missile threats from North Korea, while reiterating that Washington is against any action to weaken Japan's administrative control of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

Gov't marks Japan's 1952 recovery of sovereignty amid opposition

Kyodo News InternationalApril 30, 2013 15:57

The Japanese government on Sunday commemorated the day the country recovered its sovereignty in 1952 after its defeat in World War II, amid opposition from Okinawa, which remained under U.S. control for another 20 years.

Gov't marks Japan's 1952 recovery of sovereignty amid opposition

Kyodo News InternationalApril 30, 2013 15:50

Japan, U.S. agree on Tokyo joining Trans-Pacific trade talks

Thomson ReutersApril 12, 2013 13:00

By Kaori Kaneko and Doug Palmer TOKYO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Japan and the United States on Friday agreed on a deal paving the way for Tokyo to join talks on an Asia-Pacific free trade agreement, swelling the economic heft of the proposed pact and triggering protests from U.S. automakers. The deal brings Japan closer to entering talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Australia and New Zealand hope to finish this year.

Japan, U.S. agree on Tokyo joining Trans-Pacific trade talks

Thomson ReutersApril 12, 2013 05:45

By Kaori Kaneko and Doug Palmer TOKYO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Japan and the United States have agreed on a deal to allow Tokyo to join talks on a U.S.-led Asia-Pacific free trade pact that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is making a keystone of his strategy to open Japan's economy and spur long-sought growth. The agreement brings Japan closer to entering talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which Japan hopes to participate in as early as July.

Hagel details U.S.-Japan plan to return land to Okinawa

AsianetApril 9, 2013 01:46

The United States and Japan have unveiled a new plan that will reduce the U.S. footprint on the island of Okinawa while ensuring an effective military presence in the region, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Friday. "Our plan calls for the immediate return -- upon the completion of certain necessary procedures -- of certain facilities and areas on Okinawa," Hagel said in a statement. Hagel said the United States will return additional locations once replacement facilities are constructed and when "a sizeable contingent of U.S.

US military to return some Okinawa land to Japan

Agence France-PresseApril 5, 2013 08:45

Japan and the United States on Friday agreed on a plan that will see some land occupied by the US military returned to the islands in a bid to break the deadlock in a long-stalled deal. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US Ambassador John Roos issued a joint statement on the agreement, under which five US military facilities and other areas on Okinawa's main island will return to Japan over the coming years. Tokyo and Washington also agreed they will return land currently occupied by the controversial Futenma airbase "in fiscal 2022 or later" the joint statement said.