Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba has informed Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima of a revision of the application of a bilateral agreement with the United States on the status of American forces in Japan.

Gemba met Nakaima in Okinawa on Saturday.He explained that a joint panel from the 2 countries decided to allow more flexibility in applying the agreement and conditionally give Japan greater jurisdiction over crimes or accidents involving US citizens.

The revision enables Japanese courts to try civilian employees of US bases even if they were on duty at the time of the crime or accident on condition that the case claims human lives and the US side does not start court procedures.

Under the new interpretation, Japanese prosecutors indicted an American man on Friday for having caused a collision with a mini-vehicle that left a teen-ager dead in Okinawa in January.

Previously, the prosecutors had not been able to indict the American as he was on his way back home from the base and deemed to be on duty.

During the meeting with the governor, Gemba offered deepest condolences on the death of the Okinawan, and said the government will do its best to lower the burden of the Okinawan people in hosting US bases.

Nakaima appreciated the government's efforts. He said that some Okinawans strongly wish an overhaul of the status of forces agreement, but resolving issues one by one is helpful for people in the prefecture. He asked for further efforts by the central government.

Gemba sought understanding for the government's plan to relocate the US Futenma Marine Air Station to Nago city, also in Okinawa, based on the Japan-US accord.

Nakaima said he cannot agree with the government on the Futenma issue, saying Okinawa wants the base to be moved out of the prefecture.

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20111126_14.html

Image credit: http://www.warisboring.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/futenma2.jpg