U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement

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U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (official name: Agreement under Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America, Regarding Facilities and Areas and the Status of United States Armed Forces in Japan) is an agreement concluded in 1960 between Japan and the U.S. as stipulated in article VI of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty signed that year. It concerns the treatment of United States Armed Forces stationed in Japan. The agreement has been a target of severe criticism especially from leftist activists as well as the Japanese residents of areas that host U.S. military bases such as Okinawa because it gives virtually extraterritorial rights to U.S. military personnnel in Japan.