[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 48 (Monday, December 1, 2003)]
[Page 1688]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.