Apr.25.2008 10:34The opposition-dominated House of Councillors rejected a Japan-U.S. agreement Friday that requires Tokyo to pay some 140 billion yen annually to help run U.S. military bases in Japan for three years through fiscal 2010.
But the accord, which already cleared the House of Representatives, will go into effect later in the day as a vote in the powerful lower house takes precedence under a constitutional provision.
Photo: National Diet Chair Youhei Kono (right) signifies approval in the House of Representatives plenary assembly of the new special agreement regarding the Japanese side burden (consideration budget) of US Forces in Japan being stationed expense. The implementation of the accord, already delayed, will be in early May if it is approved as expected, according to Foreign Ministry officials.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan and other opposition parties voted against the bilateral deal, complaining that some of the money to maintain U.S. military bases has been used to hire employees at entertainment facilities, such as bars. It was the first time the upper house has rejected a treaty.
The old agreement expired March 31 due to parliamentary disapproval for a government plan to extend it for fiscal 2008, which began April 1.
Under the new accord, Japan will earmark 141.6 billion yen for the budget to maintain U.S. bases in fiscal 2008, but reduce the utility fees it pays by 400 million yen in both fiscal 2009 and 2010.
After the old agreement expired, the United States had to cover the expenses, including utility and labor costs, until the new accord takes effect.
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