TOKYO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military chief in Japan Monday urged the Japanese Diet to endorse a bilateral agreement on U.S. military facilities in Japan.

　　Lt. Gen. Edward Rice, commander of U.S. Forces in Japan, told the Japan National Press Club that though the opposition legislators oppose the Japanese government's appropriation of money for entertainment facilities in the bases for the coming three years, the allotment to maintain U.S. military facilities can be regarded as an investment to ensure Japan's future security.

　　And the U.S. servicemen deserve "a modest level of recreational activities" in the bases as they are far from home, media reported, citing Rice, who became the military chief in Japan in February.

　　The U.S. general also vowed to tighten discipline over the U.S. military personnel in the base-hosting areas after a string of crimes allegedly committed by U.S. soldiers in local communities.