    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 24, 2003]
    [Page 1613]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Japan-United States Treaty on
    Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
    November 24, 2003

    To the Senate of the United States:
        With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification, I transmit herewith the Treaty Between the United States
    of America and Japan on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters,
    signed at Washington on August 5, 2003. I transmit also, for the
    information of the Senate, a related exchange of notes and the report of
    the Department of State with respect to the Treaty.
        The Treaty is one of a series of modern mutual legal assistance
    treaties negotiated by the United States in order to counter criminal
    activities more effectively. The Treaty should be an effective tool to
    assist in the investigation and prosecution of a wide variety of crimes.
    The Treaty is self-executing.
        The Treaty provides for a broad range of cooperation in criminal
    matters. Mutual assistance available under the Treaty includes: taking
    testimony, statements, or items; examining persons, items, or places;
    locating or identifying persons, items, or places; providing items from
    governmental departments or agencies; inviting persons to testify in the
    requesting Party; transferring persons in custody for testimony or other
    purposes; assisting in proceedings related to forfeiture and
    immobilization of assets; and any other form of assistance permitted
    under the laws of the requested Party and agreed upon by the Central
    Authorities of the two Contracting Parties.
        I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
    to the Treaty, and give its advice and consent to ratification.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     November 24, 2003.