Japan and the United States are expected to agree soon to U.S. officials being present during interrogations of U.S. military personnel suspected of serious crimes such as murder or rape, negotiation sources said Saturday.
During unofficial talks on revising the criminal procedures for U.S. military personnel in Japan under the Status of Forces Agreement, the U.S. withdrew an initial demand for its presence in the questioning of all arrested U.S. military personnel.
Japan was at first reluctant to allow any U.S. presence during questioning, but compromised on serious cases.