The SACO Final Report

… <a name="contentstop"></a> <div align="center"> <h1>The SACO Final Report<BR> December 2, 1996</h1> <p class="stitle">by<BR> <BR> Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda<BR> Minister of State for Defense Kyuma<BR> <BR> Secretary of Defense Perry<BR> Ambassador Mondale</p> </div> <p>The Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) was established in November 1995 by the Governments of Japan and the United States. The two Governments launched the SACO process to reduce the burden on the people of Okinawa and thereby strengthen the Japan-US alliance.</p> <p>The mandate and guidelines for the SACO process were set forth by the Governments of Japan and the United States at the outset of the joint endeavor. Both sides decided that the SACO would develop recommendations for the Security Consultative committee (SCC) on ways to realign, consolidate and reduce US facilities and areas, and adjust operational procedures of US forces in Okinawa consistent with their respective obligations under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and other related agreements. The work of the SACO was scheduled to conclude after one year.</p> …