Okinawan police want arrest warrant for US soldier for sexual assault
Things just get worse and worse at the moment for the military here in Okinawa, as the rumour I reported this morning has turned into an alleged offence. The Japanese police are now seeking to obtain an arrest warrant for an assault which allegedly took place on Monday of this week by a member of the US Army. “Basically, the case should be handled strictly under Japanese judiciary procedures… it would help assuage social feelings if the suspect is sent back to the United States after he pays for his crime first”, local police chief Hachiro Tokutsu told the prefectural assembly.
If this has actually happened then this guy deserves a Darwin Award for doing probably the most stupid thing anyone could have a week after this alleged rape. Of course, all the facts as to what preceded the alleged offence are unknown, and the Philippino women can go a little crazy from time to time on people. Assaulting a woman is a shocking offence in my book at any time, but with the situation so delicate in Okinawa at the moment, surely he could have had a little restraint.
But what is lacking in any of the statements is the shock in the offence and people saying how horrific it is. The story is making the news, but only because it was carried out by a member of the US military, who are a very easy and visible target at the moment. It could also be because the victim was a child, which generates a different reaction worldwide for some reason. In my books, a rape is a rape, whether it be a 14 year old, a 24 year old or an 84 year old. But it’s always offences against the young that generate the most reaction.
What hasn’t been said is if the Okinawan police are going to investigate and get the “snack bars” closed down in that particular red light area of Okinawa. For some reason I doubt I’m going to hear much more about that line of the issue. More to come when I hear anything.
Just got an interesting quote from the BBC website which should get you some perspective on what’s been happening:
“There is no evidence that more crimes are being carried out than before.
Last year just 46 US military personnel were arrested on Okinawa in connection with criminal cases, a tiny proportion of those stationed there, and that figure was less than half the number five years ago.”
or Discuss this Article
