U.S. Ambassador assures Japan over alleged rape case
I have been covering this alleged rape case of a 14-year old girl in Okinawa by a US marine, and will continue to do so as the story unfolds and differing opinions are aired. I must thank those of you who are reading my entries on this and especially those who are taking the time to make comments.
Well, things continue to spiral out of control here in Okinawa. Last night on TV the top guy of the US Air Force in Japan (I think that’s right - correct me if not) was apologizing and promising a full investigation and looking at how to prevent this in the future. Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer met with the governor of Okinawa, Mr Hirokazu Nakaima, to discuss the problem and what will be done about it. He was quoted as saying. “”It is truly regrettable that an incident like this could have occurred… we want to assure you that we will do all we can to cooperate with you and the authorities here to ensure that justice is done in this matter.” Meanwhile, 2 local assemblies in Okinawa have voted unanimously in favour of protests if this marine is not charged with rape. The demonstrations are expected to come in the forthcoming days and weeks. A letter has been sent to President Bush by the Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence.
Now, people who know Okinawa will have most likely heard of this group, as they were the ones who organizing the massive rally in 1995 after the rape of the 12 year old Okinawan girl by US servicemembers. One of their spokespersons said yesterday, “We only want the American military to go away from Okinawa… we must not make this scandal only a girlfs self blame. Itfs all about the American militaryfs problem”. Now I’m happy that a group has been set up to offer support to women who have been involved in violence from someone, whether it’s a stranger or a partner. In fact, it’s a shame they don’t offer the same support to women who have experienced domestic abuse by their Japanese husbands in Okinawa (which is a number of times higher than in the mainland). But is there also the Okinawa Women Act Against Taxi Drivers Who Grope Drunk Women On Their Way Home In The Early Hours? Despite having the rather catchy OWAATDWGDWOTWHITEH acronym, I don’t think there is! But there are much more stories about this type of event happening in Okinawa, but there is a bit of bowing and some compensation paid and everything is forgotten about. This action group are also pushing for the US government to provide support and mental care to children who have been victims of violence by US military personnel or who have been traumatized by similar incidents. Again, I don’t see the calls for victim support after schoolgirls have photos taken up their skirt on the Tokyo subway by police officers…
Well, those are the updates this morning. If any more news comes to light during the day then I’ll be sure to update you all later on. Take care and thanks for reading.
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Like you said mate, this will become more about politics than anything else. Yes crazy shit happens in Japan all the time and groping women has and continues to be a problem. Women only train carriages didn’t come to Japan just so they would smell better. But (and I know my English teacher told me never to start a sentence with but) still doesnt make it right and with all the shit the Marines have been in over the passed 20 yrs they have dug their own hole. He will be made an example of and thats life I am afraid. I am sure all of them know about what they are getting themselves in for, and whether she looked older or not, she would have still looked borderline and thats still probably 20yrs younger than the marine. He was stupid enough to give it ago and he is going to burn.