ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 52
BY REPRESENTATIVE ZERINGUE
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the United States Congress and the National Security Council to
conduct a formal review of the Status of Forces Agreement between the United
States and Japan.
WHEREAS, in 1960, the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the
United States and Japan was signed and established mutuality between the two nations; and
WHEREAS, the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security has had the effect of
establishing a military alliance between the United States and Japan; and
WHEREAS, under Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, the
government of Japan agrees to take necessary action to ensure the adequate security and
protection of the United States Armed Forces while stationed in Japan; and
WHEREAS, there are over one hundred thousand American service members and
dependents stationed in Japan, which is more than any other place in the world other than
the United States; and
WHEREAS, active-duty American service members are, and will continue to be,
stationed abroad in Japan while serving in the United States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, status of forces agreements are designed to ensure adequate and fair
legal treatment of American service members stationed abroad; and
WHEREAS, the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and Japan
does not appear to provide adequate legal protection for American service members due to
reports that Japan regularly violates the Status of Forces Agreement by detaining American
service members without adequate cause or necessity prior to charges; and
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WHEREAS, there are reports that Japanese authorities consistently deny legal
counsel to service members during police interrogations and fail to provide adequate
translation assistance during interrogations and trials, which would violate the Department
of Defense policy regarding the legal rights of service members overseas; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress through the United States House and Senate
Committees on Armed Services are responsible for conducting oversight of the United States
military and ensuring that international agreements are in the best interest of the American
people and abided by the parties entering such agreements.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the United States Congress and the National Security Council to conduct
a formal review of the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and Japan to
ensure that the agreement is in the best interest of the United States and adequately protects
American service members in accordance with constitutional rights and the United States
Department of Defense policy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Congress of the
United States of America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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