US-Japan Base Negotiations: Implications for Troops and Families
The United States and Japan are entering a critical phase of negotiations regarding the stationing, funding, and support of US forces in Japan. These discussions, centered around the Special Measures Agreement, will determine Japan's financial contributions to hosting US forces, which currently amount to approximately $1.9 billion annually. The agreement, which expires in 2026, influences force posture, base operations, and family stability for tens of thousands of servicemembers and their families. The negotiations are crucial as they intersect with regional deterrence, domestic politics in Japan, and the practical realities of overseas military life. The relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa remains a contentious issue, with local opposition and litigation causing delays. The talks are expected to focus on redistribution rather than withdrawal, with plans to relocate some Marine units to Guam and Australia while enhancing capabilities at existing installations. 
