STOP PRESS: Hadnott released!!!
News coming out of Japan as I type. Kyodo and CNN News are reporting that the US Marine arrested with the alleged rape of a 14-year old schoolgirl, Tyrone Hadnott, has been released. Police have said the girl’s family have dropped the criminal complaint against him.
Don’t know if he’s going to be charged with anything or not, but all will become clear in the next 48 hours I’m sure. I still expect a charge of sexual misconduct, but he has been freed at the moment. Firstly, this is excellent news as it seems almost certain that a rape did not occur, and maybe not even a (serious) crime (although that is too early to speculate). I wonder if the truth about this story will come out. My feelings are still that she was possible having a relationship with the guy, but we’ll see what happens. Will be very interesting to see the Japanese media’s spin on this; will they try to sweep what has happened under the carpet with the allegations, or will they give an unbiased report on what has happened? Regardless, Hadnott is still an idiot for even seeing this girl and kissing her if he had any idea of her age
That’s all for now, but I’m sure some of you will have comments about this. Please leave your thoughts.
EDIT: The Mainichi and BBC are also reporting this now. The BBC is noting that Hadnott has been released by Japanese police and is now in Marine Corps custody.
Okinawan backlash: official military email and advice
Another email is being sent out to SOFA status personnel about attacks from Okinawans (it sounds like bosozoku, or motorbike gangs of kids) are trying to provoke reactions from Y-plated cars, as they know if anything happens the police will go down harder on the Americans. Here is the email:
Recently, there have been six reported cases of SOFA-status individuals being harassed off base. Most of these incidents have occurred while driving along Route 58 between Kadena and Camp Foster.
In some of these incidents, groups of individuals riding motorbikes have crowded vehicles driven by U.S. service members or their family members. The individuals have shouted at the occupants of the vehicle, cut in front of them repeatedly and, in some cases, used sticks to strike the vehicles in order to provoke a reaction from the occupants.
These incidents have been few and isolated, and the behavior exhibited by this small number of individuals in no way reflects the actions of our friends in the local community. Base officials and local authorities are
working together closely to address these events. Despite the low frequency of these incidents, all Team Kadena members and their families should be aware of them and should know what to do if faced with similar circumstances.
If you encounter hostile individuals or intimidating behavior on the road, follow these important steps:
1. Stay calm and slow down. A moving car can be dangerous, and the individuals may be purposely trying to instigate an accident. Be careful of other motorists around you. If you need to, pull over on the side of the road while obeying the laws of traffic. Only pull over after assessing whether doing so will place you in greater danger. Make sure your windows and doors are locked at all times. Consider heading toward a safe area, such as the nearest military installation, a local police station, or a highly public place.
2. Try to gather information on the five W’s:
- Who (how many individuals, what kind of clothing, vehicle descriptions, license plate #s. If it is safe to do so, try to take pictures of the offender(s) with your cell phone or camera)
- What happened (what actions did the individuals take?)
- Where exactly did the incident take place?
- When did the incident take place?
- Why (Did the individuals say anything that you could understand)?
3. Don’t respond to provocative actions with more provocation. Doing so will likely make the situation worse and potentially cause an accident that injures you, your family members or other motorists.
4. Report the incident immediately to local police, OSI or Security Forces. From your cell phone you can dial 119 to reach local authorities. Once back on base, call OSI at 632-8996 or make a report in person to Security Forces at Bldg 705.
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As I’ve said before, crazy times. If anyone on a bike gets in front of my car and starts hitting it and giving me grief, I’m just putting my foot down and turning the wipers on! Stay safe out there, everyone.
Some light relief for the end of the week
Well it’s been a stressful week for some of you, especially those who might be SOFA status and under the lockdown. Rumours are going round this could continue for another 2 weeks at least, and other say it could be the 25th of March before everyone is allowed out. Nothing confirmed yet but that’s what’s being said by some.
So, to help turn a few of those frowns upside down, I bring you none other than the hilarious combination of drunk Japanese man and Japanese policeman! This story comes from Japan Today:
NAGOYA - Police on Friday arrested a man for stealing a poster of an actress from a “koban” (police box) in Nagoya. Kiyoshi Hata, 68, was arrested for allegedly stealing a tax campaign poster featuring actress Mikako Tabe at a police box around 11 p.m. on Thursday night.
Hata smashed the glass panels to remove the poster from the wall and then called police four times, using the phone in the koban. “Why isn’t there anyone here? Where are you?” he reportedly yelled. He was arrested near JR Nagoya station after he again called police from a public phone.
According to police, an officer was sleeping in back during the incident but said later that he heard nothing. Police say the suspect was drunk and denies the allegation.
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If nothing else, you’ve got to give that guy credit for calling the police from their own phonebox after breaking in and stealing something… while an officer slept in the back! Have a good weekend ladies and gents. Will report any stories I hear over the next couple of days.
US crime in Japan: a story of statstics
Nice to see Japan Times offering this editorial, and going somewhat against the grain of criticising the US military’s presence here in Okinawa. Have a read and see what you think.
U.S. military crime: SOFA so good?
The stats offer some surprises in wake of the latest Okinawa rape claim
By MICHAEL HASSETT
Special to The Japan Times
On Friday night, Aug. 18, 2006, at a third-story apartment within a gated community outside Atlanta, Ga., 31-year-old Kendrick Ledet sat contemplating life. And death.
Ledet was familiar with various forms of high-tech weaponry - particularly the semi-automatic M-16 rifle - but on this day he decided to go low-tech, departing from us slowly by slicing through the arteries in his arms with a knife.
Moments earlier, this terribly troubled soul had forcefully struck a coworker in the head before strangling her with his forearm. And that was preceded by a violent sexual assault. She was only 22 years old, a student studying marketing at a nearby university.
Three years before the parents of Lauren Cooper happened upon this awful scene inside their daughter’s apartment, the perpetrator of this crime, Ledet, was among us here in Japan.
More backlash incidents
And it’s a triple-bill this morning! Am making up for the lack of stories yesterday as plenty of information is coming into my possession today. This just in about more incidents involving Americans encountering resistence from Okinawans:
“Here is a breakdown of the recent off base incidents reported to us within the last 24 hours:
On 14 Feb 08, two NCOs were driving military pickups to Naha to transport students for Silver Flag. A vehicle with two Japanese males tailgated the second vehicle (in the slow lane), flashed his lights, and then pulled next to the second vehicle. The two Japanese males motioned for the NCOs to pull over. The two Japanese males then pulled their vehicle between the two military vehicles for a short time and finally pulled out and swerved in front of the lead vehicle, nearly hitting the front fender. The Japanese male driver then “stood on his brakes,” nearly causing an accident. The NCOs pulled onto the shoulder and the other car took off.
On 21 Feb 08, a DoDDs school teacher was run off of the road by three Japanese males in two vehicles near Gate 5 of KAB. The three Japanese males exited their vehicles and started yelling at the DoDDs school teacher and hitting her window with their hands. When the DoDDs school teacher pulled out her camera phone and started snapping photos, the three Japanese males fled. The DoDDs school teacher reported the incident to local police and they advised her they believed the license plate on the vehicle was stolen.
On 25 Feb 08, Okinawa Police Station was conducting door-to-door contacts collecting occupant’s personal data at American apartment complexes along the Sunabe seawall.
On 25 Feb 08, a DoD civilian was detained (for being off base) for 45 minutes by locals at a Family Mart when she went there to pay her bills. The local police responded and she was allowed to leave.
Additionally, a SNCO married to a local national reported members of his wife’s local national wives’ group had paint thrown at their Y plated vehicles. Other LN dependents reported locals documenting their license
plate information when they were conducting business off base. The LN spouses are reluctant to come forward and provide statements, but we are encouraging them to do so through the AD member.
There are other reports of alleged reporters going door-to-door at American’s off base housing trying to question them about the recent incidents.
We have UNCONFIRMED reports of Y plated vehicles being pulled over by local police and the occupants being questioned as to why they were on the road. The local police have denied the allegation.
Marine PMO allegedly had several incidents reported to them and I was told PMO will be able to provide more information this afternoon.
Considering the specific threat information regarding LNs targeting SOFA status individuals a few weeks ago I think it is imperative we share information as it comes in. This way the leadership on each base is being briefed the same information and they can make informed decisions regarding force protection measures and advisories.”
Will report any more updates as I get them, but it’s looking a little ugly for some Americans out there.