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.
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Hi Dave, I just wanted to thank you for the insightful news you pass along about everything and anything to do with the ‘reflection period’ that us SOFA personnel are in. I read on your blog about the backlash towards Americans from some locals days before stars and stripes reported on it. You are now officially my #1 source for happenings during this period, you got it all man!! Without your blog, I would be in the dark. So yeah, a BIG thanks to you Dave!!
Here’s the link to the story in stars and stripes
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52980
Well that is a very kind comment, and it is really appreciated. I am trying to give all sides of the story in this case, and I’m glad you’re enjoying my site for rumours or happenings in this matter. Will hopefully be able to tell you more about it later, although I think the news on this is going to die down a hell of a lot now.