Japan to continue bilateral deal with US military

Tokyo, Jul 19: Japan decided to continue the bilateral deal with the US military on providing goods and services to each other in order to aid international emergency relief operations, informed the sources.

The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) aims to promote close cooperation between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the US armed forces and contribute to smooth and effective operation of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. It also intends to help United Nations efforts to promote international peace.

Japanese Defense Ministry which took the decision expects to allow the 1996 Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement with the US to expand its fields of coverage, by submitting a bill for amending the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Law to an extraordinary Diet session in a couple of months.

SDF had failed to respond to the US call to transport its military personnel to Haiti earthquake rescue and relief operations and the calls for the amendment have grown as another ACSA reached with Australia in May, 2010 already covers international emergency of relief activities.

The agreement with Australia intends to accomplish bilateral cooperation in UN peace keeping operations and the humanitarian assistance in major disasters.

Japanese government also plans to have another ACSA with South Korea, aimed at providing food, water, fuel and other goods as well as other services including transportation and repair between the militaries of contracting states.

OneIndia News