HLS 23RS-1111 ENGROSSED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 52
BY REPRESENTATIVE ZERINGUE
MILITARY AFFAIRS: Encourages the United States Congress and the National Security
Council to formally review the Status of Forces Agreement between the United
States and Japan to ensure that our service members are being properly treated and
adequately protected while serving in Japan
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the United States Congress and the National Security Council to
3 conduct a formal review of the Status of Forces Agreement between the United
4 States and Japan.
5 WHEREAS, in 1960, the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the
6United States and Japan was signed and established mutuality between the two nations; and
7 WHEREAS, the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security has had the effect of
8establishing a military alliance between the United States and Japan; and
9 WHEREAS, under Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, the
10government of Japan agrees to take necessary action to ensure the adequate security and
11protection of the United States Armed Forces while stationed in Japan; and
12 WHEREAS, there are over one hundred thousand American service members and
13dependents stationed in Japan, which is more than any other place in the world other than
14the United States; and
15 WHEREAS, active-duty American service members are, and will continue to be,
16stationed abroad in Japan while serving in the United States Armed Forces; and
17 WHEREAS, status of forces agreements are designed to ensure adequate and fair
18legal treatment of American service members stationed abroad; and
19 WHEREAS, the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and Japan
20does not appear to provide adequate legal protection for American service members due to
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HCR NO. 52
1reports that Japan regularly violates the Status of Forces Agreement by detaining American
2service members without adequate cause or necessity prior to charges; and
3 WHEREAS, there are reports that Japanese authorities consistently deny legal
4counsel to service members during police interrogations and fail to provide adequate
5translation assistance during interrogations and trials, which would violate the Department
6of Defense policy regarding the legal rights of service members overseas; and
7 WHEREAS, the United States Congress through the United States House and Senate
8Committees on Armed Services are responsible for conducting oversight of the United States
9military and ensuring that international agreements are in the best interest of the American
10people and abided by the parties entering such agreements.
11 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
12urge and request the United States Congress and the National Security Council to conduct
13a formal review of the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and Japan to
14ensure that the agreement is in the best interest of the United States and adequately protects
15American service members in accordance with constitutional rights and the United States
16Department of Defense policy.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
18presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Congress of the
19United States of America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 52 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Zeringue
Encourages the U.S. Congress and National Security Council to formally review the Status
of Forces Agreement between the U.S. and Japan to ensure that our service members are
being properly treated and adequately protected while serving in Japan.
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