Chronologies
US - Japan
Chronology from Jan 2004 to Mar 2004
: Yankees and Devil Rays open baseball season in Tokyo. Matsui Hideki hits a two-run homer propelling the Yankees to a 12-1 win in the second game.
: Yankees and Devil Rays open baseball season in Tokyo. Matsui Hideki hits a two-run homer propelling the Yankees to a 12-1 win in the second game.
: Tokyo High Court turns down U.S. request to extradite a researcher on industrial espionage charges, marking Japan’s first rejection of an extradition request from American authorities.
: Yomiuri reports Japanese plan to rewrite policy to share radar data collected from FPS-XX early warning radars, expected to go online in 2007, with U.S.
: Tokyo High Court turns down U.S. request to extradite a researcher on industrial espionage charges, marking Japan’s first rejection of an extradition request from American authorities.
: Yomiuri reports Japanese plan to rewrite policy to share radar data collected from FPS-XX early warning radars, expected to go online in 2007, with U.S.
: First treaty signed between the U.S. and Japan, the Treaty of Kanagawa, goes on display at the National Archives in Washington, DC, as part of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival and the 150th anniversary of the signing.
: First treaty signed between the U.S. and Japan, the Treaty of Kanagawa, goes on display at the National Archives in Washington, DC, as part of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival and the 150th anniversary of the signing.
: Reuters reports U.S. Navy will deploy an Aegis-class destroyer in the Sea of Japan by September 2004 to protect U.S. and its allies.
: Reuters reports U.S. Navy will deploy an Aegis-class destroyer in the Sea of Japan by September 2004 to protect U.S. and its allies.
: U.S. report identifies Japan’s measures to combat trafficking of women as worst of any industrialized country.
: U.S. report identifies Japan’s measures to combat trafficking of women as worst of any industrialized country.
: Agreement is reached in principle between the U.S. and Japan on updating Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Deal will allow a U.S. representative to witness Japanese interrogation of U.S. military personnel accused of serious crimes.
March 19, 2004 Marking the first anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, President Bush closes with remarks remembering diplomat Oku Katsuhiko, who was killed in Iraq last November. Bush calls Japan a key ally in the war on terrorism and a member of the PSI.
March 19, 2004 Marking the first anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, President Bush closes with remarks remembering diplomat Oku Katsuhiko, who was killed in Iraq last November. Bush calls Japan a key ally in the war on terrorism and a member of the PSI.
: Agreement is reached in principle between the U.S. and Japan on updating Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Deal will allow a U.S. representative to witness Japanese interrogation of U.S. military personnel accused of serious crimes.
: London-based Arab newspaper publishes statement from alleged al-Qaeda affiliate claiming responsibility for Madrid bomb attacks, indicating the group is planning strikes against other U.S. allies, including Japan.
: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld calls the SDF deployment to Iraq a “great step” in talks with Japan’s Adm. Ishikawa Toru, chairman of Joint Staff Council.
: London-based Arab newspaper publishes statement from alleged al-Qaeda affiliate claiming responsibility for Madrid bomb attacks, indicating the group is planning strikes against other U.S. allies, including Japan.
: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld calls the SDF deployment to Iraq a “great step” in talks with Japan’s Adm. Ishikawa Toru, chairman of Joint Staff Council.
: Asahi poll reveals support for Koizumi Cabinet up to 49 percent from last month’s 44 percent; those who did not support the government fell from 37 percent to 32 percent. Support for SDF deployment to Iraq is split with 42 percent for and 41 percent against, a sharp drop from the 48 percent against in February.
: USTR chief agriculture negotiator threatens Japan with WTO action if Japan does not back down from requiring the U.S. to test all cattle for BSE before resuming U.S. beef imports.
: Asahi poll reveals support for Koizumi Cabinet up to 49 percent from last month’s 44 percent; those who did not support the government fell from 37 percent to 32 percent. Support for SDF deployment to Iraq is split with 42 percent for and 41 percent against, a sharp drop from the 48 percent against in February.
: USTR chief agriculture negotiator threatens Japan with WTO action if Japan does not back down from requiring the U.S. to test all cattle for BSE before resuming U.S. beef imports.
: Armitage states the U.S. position on Futenma Air Station in Okinawa has not changed and the U.S. fully intends to comply with the SACO agreement.
: Armitage states the U.S. position on Futenma Air Station in Okinawa has not changed and the U.S. fully intends to comply with the SACO agreement.
: Japanese Cabinet submits seven military emergency bills to the Diet, supplementing legislation passed last year. The bills include procedures to increase SDF and U.S. military cooperation and facility usage.
: Japanese Cabinet submits seven military emergency bills to the Diet, supplementing legislation passed last year. The bills include procedures to increase SDF and U.S. military cooperation and facility usage.
: U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan singles out Japan for criticism over dollar intervention and high accumulation of dollar reserves.
: U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan singles out Japan for criticism over dollar intervention and high accumulation of dollar reserves.
: U.S. requests Japan consider relocation of U.S. Army/Corps HQ from Washington State to Kanagawa.
: U.S. requests Japan consider relocation of U.S. Army/Corps HQ from Washington State to Kanagawa.
: U.S. and Japan sign deal to amend the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, increasing share of military supplies and services in event of attack on Japan. For the first time the arrangement allows Japan to supply U.S. forces with ammunition.
: U.S. and Japan sign deal to amend the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, increasing share of military supplies and services in event of attack on Japan. For the first time the arrangement allows Japan to supply U.S. forces with ammunition.
: Six-party talks on North Korea open in Beijing. In his address, James Kelly, U.S. assistant secretary of state for Asian and Pacific affairs, makes an unequivocal reference to the abduction issue.
: Six-party talks on North Korea open in Beijing. In his address, James Kelly, U.S. assistant secretary of state for Asian and Pacific affairs, makes an unequivocal reference to the abduction issue.
: JDA Director Ishiba denies change in plans to build a heliport in Nago, Okinawa to replace Futenma Air Station.
: JDA Director Ishiba denies change in plans to build a heliport in Nago, Okinawa to replace Futenma Air Station.
: Under Secretary of State John Bolton meets counterpart Amano Yukiya to discuss WMD nonproliferation and arms control policy. He reassures Japan its agreement to develop Azadegan oilfield will not damage U.S.-Japan relations.
: Japan wins right to develop Iran’s Azadegan oilfield for an estimated $2.8 billion. U.S. calls the deal “deeply disconcerting.”
: Under Secretary of State John Bolton meets counterpart Amano Yukiya to discuss WMD nonproliferation and arms control policy. He reassures Japan its agreement to develop Azadegan oilfield will not damage U.S.-Japan relations.
: Japan wins right to develop Iran’s Azadegan oilfield for an estimated $2.8 billion. U.S. calls the deal “deeply disconcerting.”
: Mainichi reports the U.S. has dropped demands to return land occupied by the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in exchange for an alternate facility, instead it will integrate into Kadena.
: Mainichi reports the U.S. has dropped demands to return land occupied by the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in exchange for an alternate facility, instead it will integrate into Kadena.
: USTR Robert Zoellick holds talks with FM Kawaguchi and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Nakagawa on trade and Japan’s ban on U.S. beef imports.
: USTR Robert Zoellick holds talks with FM Kawaguchi and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Nakagawa on trade and Japan’s ban on U.S. beef imports.
: Japan suspends import of all U.S. poultry after U.S. agriculture officials confirm outbreak of avian flu in Delaware.
: Japan suspends import of all U.S. poultry after U.S. agriculture officials confirm outbreak of avian flu in Delaware.
: U.S., Japan, and Australia hold fifth round of Trilateral Security Dialogue, focusing on regional and global security issues.
: U.S., Japan, and Australia hold fifth round of Trilateral Security Dialogue, focusing on regional and global security issues.
: Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage praises Koizumi for “remarkable vision” in increasing Japan’s strategic role. Armitage also reiterated any attack on Japan or administrative territories under Japanese control would be seen as an attack on the U.S. “Administrative territories” includes disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.
: USDA official David Hegwood says that Japan’s demand for testing all U.S. beef for mad cow disease is scientifically unjustifiable and expensive.
: Movie “Lost in Translation” wins three Golden Globe awards: best comedy film; best screenplay; and best comedy actor for Bill Murray in Los Angeles.
: U.S. and Japanese officials discuss safety measures on mad cow disease; U.S. rebuts Japan’s demands for comprehensive testing of every animal slaughtered; Koizumi tells the Diet he will demand such testing before U.S. beef imports can resume.
: Japan’s first main air SDF contingent of 110 personnel, leaves for Iraq.
: U.S., Japanese, and South Korean officials convene in Washington, D.C. to discuss six-party talks on North Korea.
: Seattle Mariners’ right-hander Sasaki Kazuhiro decides to forfeit the last year of his contract and return to Japan to remain with his family.
: 30 members of GSDF advance team arrive in southern Iraq; PM Koizumi states that “Japan’s development and prosperity depends on world peace and stability,” during Parliament’s opening session.
: JDA head Ishiba states that Japan should review its 36-year-old export ban so that it can participate in joint weapons development projects with the U.S. and other countries, as well as lifting the ban on arms sales to other countries.
: JDA Chief Ishiba Shigeru orders advance reconnaissance team from the GSDF to leave for Iraq – the first of about 600 soldiers that Japan plans to send to southern Iraq for reconstruction efforts.
: Vice Minister of Agriculture Watanabe Yoshiaki states that U.S. action hasn’t quieted concerns in Japan about the safety of American beef. Two-thirds of Japan’s beef imports, more than 226,000 tons, came from the U.S. last year.