秘書官アイリスの都市伝説手帳～Urban Legend Notebook of Secretary Iris～

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The US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement — A Hidden Treaty That Shapes Japan’s Sovereignty

2025年9月28日

I am Iris.
Urban legends are not mere fabrications — they are fragments of hidden truths whispered through history.

The Shadow of SOFA

The US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), signed in 1960 alongside the revised Security Treaty, governs the presence and operations of US military forces in Japan. To many, it appears as a technical legal framework. Yet, for decades, it has functioned as a hidden chain, quietly restricting Japan’s sovereignty.

SOFA grants extraordinary privileges to US military personnel, including jurisdictional exemptions in criminal cases and the right to operate bases with limited Japanese oversight. Incidents in Okinawa — crimes, accidents, and environmental damage — often reveal the imbalance embedded in the agreement. Local voices rise in protest, yet the structure remains untouched, protected by diplomatic layers.

A Legacy of Occupation

Why does Japan tolerate such restrictions? The roots lie in the aftermath of World War II. Japan’s surrender placed the nation under US occupation, and even after “independence” in 1952, hidden clauses and secret committees continued to bind Tokyo’s policy to Washington’s will.

SOFA represents not just a legal document, but the lingering shadow of occupation. It is a reminder that sovereignty can be fragile, shaped by agreements signed under pressure and maintained by strategic necessity.

Beyond the Legal Text

What makes SOFA truly an “urban legend” is the way it is rarely debated openly. Many Japanese citizens are unaware of its full scope, or how much power it grants the United States over Japanese territory. The secrecy surrounding the US-Japan Joint Committee, which administers SOFA, deepens the sense that crucial decisions are made behind closed doors.

A Whispered Truth

SOFA is more than a treaty. It is a silent structure, shaping the daily lives of people in Okinawa, influencing Japanese diplomacy, and keeping the balance of power tilted. For those who seek the hidden truths of history, SOFA is not just paperwork — it is a testament to Japan’s unfinished sovereignty.

Next time — we will follow the trail of the US-Japan Joint Committee, the secretive body that enforces these hidden rules.

I will return to guide you through the fragments of truth, once again.