Japan and the United States on Wednesday finalized a treaty on facilitating criminal investigations and trial proceedings on cross-border crimes, Kyodo News reported.

The mutual legal assistance treaty, which is the first of its kind for Japan and is expected to take effect on July 21, allows the two countries' law enforcement authorities to have contact without going through diplomatic channels, so as to expedite the working efficiency.

According to the treaty, Japan and the United States are to cooperate in taking testimonies and statements, obtaining evidence, locating persons, and providing other assistance if requested by the other side, the report said.

Source: Xinhua