# US-Japan relations
Latest news and articles about US-Japan relations
Total: 2 articles found
Theft and Tension: Three U.S. Service Members Arrested in Japan Fuel Base-Related Friction
Japanese police have detained three U.S. service members on suspicion of thefts in Tokyo and Okinawa, with two suspects potentially tied to a larger string of incidents involving sums that may exceed ¥10 million. The arrests risk intensifying longstanding local opposition to American bases and will test U.S.-Japan cooperation under the Status of Forces Agreement. The cases also highlight personnel welfare and oversight issues within U.S. forces in Japan, and could prompt calls for greater transparency and remedial measures from both Tokyo and local communities.
US Air Force Probe Finds Safety Failures After Helicopter Windblast Kills Teacher at Kadena
A U.S. Air Force investigation found that an HH-60 demonstration helicopter at Kadena Air Base flew too close to spectators on April 22, 2025, creating a windblast that toppled a Japanese teacher who later died of head injuries. The report cites planning and oversight failures and has provoked public outcry in Japan over transparency and base safety. The incident amplifies long-running tensions in Okinawa over U.S. military presence and raises questions about operational discipline, accountability, and the political costs for both Tokyo and Washington.