2 U.S. Marines accused of rape in Okinawa as local anger at military presence increases
Local law enforcement in Okinawa have confirmed that two United States Marines stationed on the island are currently under investigation following separate allegations of rape.
These incidents mark the latest in a series of assault cases involving US military personnel that have previously strained relations with the local Okinawan community.
According to police sources on Thursday, one Marine, in his twenties, is suspected of the rape of a Japanese woman which reportedly occurred within an American military installation in March.
This same individual is also under suspicion of causing injury to another woman during the same incident.
A second Marine, also in his twenties, is being investigated for a separate alleged rape of a Japanese woman at a US base earlier this year in January, officials stated.
Both cases have now been referred to local prosecutors for further action.
In response to the allegations, US Ambassador to Japan George Glass stated that Washington would offer its full cooperation to Japanese authorities in their ongoing investigations.
He emphasized the deep value placed on the long-standing trust and friendship between the two nations, vowing to take all possible measures to prevent actions that could potentially damage these ties.
The recent allegations follow other incidents involving US service members in Okinawa, including a joint nighttime patrol last week in a downtown area with bars.
This patrol, the first of its kind since 1973, saw US military personnel joining Japanese officials and local residents.
Past incidents include the charging of a 21-year-old Marine with rape in June of the previous year, and the indictment of a 25-year-old US soldier months prior for the alleged assault of a minor.
Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki has publicly condemned the latest allegations as “deplorable,” according to Japanese media reports.
He indicated that local authorities would strongly urge the US military to implement more effective measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
While Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi declined direct comment on the specifics of the cases during a regular press briefing on Thursday, he reiterated that crimes committed by US troops stationed in Japan are “unacceptable.”
Japanese media, citing police sources, reported that the alleged rape in March occurred in a restroom, and the injury sustained by the other woman was a result of her attempt to intervene in the assault.
The presence of approximately 54,000 US military personnel in Japan, the majority of whom are based on the strategically important island of Okinawa, has historically been a point of contention. Okinawa’s location east of Taiwan makes it a key military hub.
Police data from last year indicates that 80 individuals with connections to the US military faced charges in Okinawa for a variety of offenses.
The deeply impactful 1995 gang rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl by three US soldiers triggered widespread outrage and calls for a fundamental review of the security pact allowing the US to station troops in Japan since 1960.
Source: Mainichi