Press Briefing on October 9
Overview
Regarding the off-duty conduct of U.S. service members participating in the Japan-U.S. joint integrated exercise Keen Sword 27, the Ministry of Defense explained that it had long urged the U.S. side at the unit level to keep off-duty outings to the minimum necessary. Following the emergency arrest of a U.S. Marine on suspicion of robbery and murder, the Ministry is renewing its requests at various levels. The Ministry says it will continue to explain matters carefully to the public and work to ensure local residents' peace of mind, trust, and safety.
Key points
- Questions addressed the Japan-U.S. joint integrated exercise Keen Sword 27, which begins at the end of October.
- The Ministry of Defense has long urged the U.S. side to keep off-duty outings to the minimum necessary.
- Following the emergency arrest of a U.S. Marine on suspicion of robbery and murder, the Ministry is renewing its requests at various levels.
- The Ministry of Defense says it will continue explaining matters to the public and working to ensure local residents' peace of mind, trust, and safety.
Overview
During the Ministry of Defense press secretary's question-and-answer session, a question was asked about reports concerning the off-duty conduct of U.S. service members visiting during the exercise period.
The question cited reports that visiting U.S. service members could move freely during their off-duty hours in some areas and asked whether this was true. The press secretary replied that they were aware of the reports.
Impact
The Ministry of Defense said it would continue making every effort to ensure local residents' peace of mind, trust, and safety. It also noted that there are various opinions about holding the exercise and said it is important to build public understanding through careful, step-by-step explanations.
Details
The Ministry of Defense explained that it had long made requests to the U.S. side at the unit level to keep off-duty outings to the minimum necessary during training and exercise periods.
The background to the current response included the emergency arrest of a U.S. Marine on suspicion of robbery and murder.
In light of the arrest, the Ministry of Defense said it is renewing its requests to the U.S. side at various levels. The requests concern off-duty outings during training and exercise periods and call for restraint.