TOKYO, Japan – Authorities in Japan have brought charges against two U.S. Air Force members stationed on the island of Okinawa for separate incidents of sexual assault, including one involving a 16-year-old minor. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced on Friday that one man is set to stand trial for the alleged sexual assault that occurred in May.
The first suspect is facing charges of non-consensual sexual intercourse and causing bodily harm, with a scheduled appearance at the Naha District Court. In a separate incident, another U.S. air force member is accused of kidnapping and engaging in non-consensual sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16, according to Okinawa’s vice governor, Takekuni Ikeda.
In response to these heinous acts, Ikeda expressed strong condemnation, labeling them as serious violations of women’s human rights. Governor Denny Tamaki also voiced his anger and disbelief at the crimes. The Ryuku Shimpo newspaper reported that the 25-year-old airman was indicted for abducting and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in December.
Japan’s vice-minister for foreign affairs, Masataka Okano, has conveyed his regret to U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel regarding the incidents. Hayashi confirmed that the U.S. military member was indicted by the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office in March after a thorough investigation by the authorities.
The presence of U.S. military bases in Okinawa has been a source of longstanding controversy in Japan, given the strategic importance of the region. This tension has been further exacerbated by incidents involving U.S. military personnel. The incidents have sparked outrage among local residents and officials, prompting demands for accountability and stricter measures to prevent such crimes in the future.
As investigations and legal proceedings continue, the community in Okinawa remains on edge, expressing deep concerns over the incidents. The relationship between the U.S. military presence and the local population remains strained, with calls for greater respect for local laws and norms. Efforts to address these issues and rebuild trust between the U.S. forces and the community are ongoing.