In Okinawa, Japan, where the largest American military base in the region is located, US Air Force soldier, has been charged with kidnapping and raping a teenage girl under the age of 16, as BBC reported.
On December 24, the purported assault occurred, and the soldier was pinpointed via security camera footage subsequent to the girl’s family notifying authorities of the incident.
Since late March, he has been held in custody by Japanese authorities. The situation has revived ongoing resistance to the presence of the US military in Okinawa, where over half of Japan’s 54,000 American soldiers are stationed.
Historical incidents of sexual assault involving US military members have previously sparked outrage, notably in 1995 when protests persisted for months following the rape of a 12-year-old girl by three US service personnel.
On Tuesday, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi disclosed the charges publicly, affirming that US authorities are actively collaborating with investigators. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has filed a complaint with US Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emmanuel, and the initial court hearing is set for July 12.
Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki characterized the case as not only troubling but also as an affront to the girl’s dignity, highlighting the considerable erosion of trust it has caused.
Japan hosts one of the largest contingents of American military personnel outside the US, with approximately 30,000 soldiers stationed throughout Okinawa.
These bases have grown in strategic importance for Washington, given Okinawa’s proximity to Taiwan, enabling swift US responses to potential threats from China.
However, according to a recent opinion poll, seven out of ten Okinawans believe the concentration of US bases on their islands is unjust.
Incidents involving Japanese victims have consistently strained relations concerning the American military presence. In 2012, a US Navy officer caused the deaths of two Japanese citizens in a car accident, while in 2017, a US army base employee was convicted for the rape and murder of a 20-year-old local woman.
Attempts to relocate US bases to less populated areas of Okinawa have been made, but local residents advocate for their complete removal.
Nevertheless, experts argue that Japan’s robust military alliance with the US makes such a scenario unlikely, especially in light of China’s increasing territorial assertions in contested waters and islands, along with North Korea’s ongoing missile tests.
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