Japanese politicians question use for tours and leisure trips

Japanese politicians question use for tours and leisure trips
By Vince Little, and Hana Kusumoto, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, May 31, 2008

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The Japanese government wants to learn more about how the U.S. military uses highway toll tickets.

Under the Status of Forces Agreement with the United States, Japan pays for the U.S. military’s "official" off-base travel.

Japan Communist Party representative Satoshi Inoue took issue last month with the practice of the U.S. military issuing toll tickets for off-base bus tours and leisure trips. He also criticized their availability to people who rent vehicles at some installations.

On April 23, the Japanese government contacted U.S. Forces Japan seeking more details on toll ticket use, defense and foreign ministry officials said, and is awaiting a formal response.

"All we can say on the matter is that USFJ is in discussions with the Government of Japan on this and a variety of other Status of Forces Agreement issues," USFJ spokesman Marine Corps Master Sgt. Terence Peck wrote in an e-mail to Stars and Stripes on Wednesday.


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