On August 31, 2005, representatives of the Okinawa Prefectural government and municipalities; US military forces based in Okinawa and the Consulate General; and the Japanese central government held the 13th meeting of the Cooperative Working Team (CWT). The CWT is a tripartite, cooperative organization dedicated to discussing and resolving local issues related to U.S. military bases and activities in Okinawa. Members of the Okinawa business community also attend CWT meetings.

The CWT participants discussed the decline in US military criminal statistics over the past year and credited improved US military disciplinary measures and cooperation with Okinawa Prefectural Police for much of this favorable trend. The US military crime rate in Okinawa continues to be lower than for comparable troops stationed in the U.S., and is less than half the rate for the public at large in Okinawa, despite the preponderance of young adults in the military population

At the CWT meeting, one Okinawan local government official commended the improved US military disciplinary measures. An Okinawan business leader alsourged the US military to better publicize the many community outreach activities performed by US military personnel.

The official press release from the CWT meeting is below.

13th Meeting of the Co-operative Working Team (CWT13)

Press Release

August 31, 2005

Okinawa Liaison Office, MOFA
(CWT Secretariat)

1. On August 31, 2005, the 13th meeting of the Co-operative Working Team (CWT13) was held at the Okinawa Liaison Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
   
   
2. In CWT13, the participants reported and discussed the following:
   
   

   (1) Analysis of the criminal statistics for a period after the previous meeting regarding the SOFA status personnel

   (a) The Okinawa Prefectural Police (OPP) analyzed the criminal statistics and explained that the crime rate has declined for the period of July 2004 - June 2005 in comparison with those for the same period of the previous year. OPP attributed the downward trend mainly to the strengthened police activities of various kinds and the disciplinary measures enforced by the US military.

   (b) CWT evaluated this downward trend since last year as a good sign and agreed that each participant would carry out whatever it can do on its own or in cooperation with each other, aiming both to maintain the good sign and to realize zero incidents of serious crimes.

   (2) Evaluation of the �gliberty card�h programs

   (a) The US military explained and evaluated the liberty card program introduced last June by the Marines.

   (b) The US military also explained that Kadena Air Base introduced the night-time curfew from July 8 to July 21 and the liberty card program similar to the Marines�f liberty card program since July 22 as a disciplinary measure in light of a series of alcohol-related incidents including the child indecent liberties incident of July.

   (c) Other participants valued the Marines�f program as effective and expressed their strong hope that the Marines and the Air Force would continue to firmly implement the liberty card programs and achieve good results.

   (3) Transparency of the disciplinary measures or programs taken by the US military

   (a) The US military gave a comprehensive explanation about the entire disciplinary measures and programs implemented by the US military, including the above "liberty card" programs.

   (b) Other participants asked the US military to reveal a list of the disciplinary measures and programs, and other participants agreed to provide any constructive idea in order to improve the current measures and programs.

   (c) In response, the US military provided the list and told that it would immediately give proper consideration to useful advices.

   (4) Reports from other participants besides the US military regarding their initiatives

   (a) OPG explained cooperation in juvenile crimes prevention and traffic safety related issues.

   (b) Okinawa City explained its "Civic Patrols during Summer Vacation."

   (c) Chatan Town explained its "Chatan West Coast Area Preventive Measures against Crime" and "Independent Crime Prevention Patrol."

   (d) Nago City explained the liaison meeting between Nago City and Camp Schwab.

   (e) Kin Town explained its "Kin Town Prevention of Crimes Friendship Association".

   (5) Follow-up of the previous meeting

   The Okinawa Liaison Office of MOFA (OLO) reported that it is preparing to hold before the end of December a seminar for the US militarymembers to promote their understanding of Okinawan history and culture, which other participants welcomed.

   
   
   
3. The participants agreed to hold future CWT meetings twice a year inprinciple.