Just when things were calming down after the lockdown was lifted…
… the wonderfully anti-US Japan Update comes up with a scathing report. I must emphasise that Japan Update’s new stories are usually (badly) translated versions of those going out on more official news feeds like Kyodo News, but this is what is being said about the lockdown being lifted:
Americans smile, politicians lament end to lockdown
Date Posted: 2008-03-05
Americans are happy, laughing and smiling as they walk the streets of Okinawa following a nearly two-week lockdown, a restriction to the military bases, but Okinawa mayors and political leaders are not sharing the euphoria.
Lieutenant General Richard C. Zilmer, the Okinawa Area Coordinator and senior U.S. military commander on Okinawa, Monday night lifted the restrictions he had imposed February 20th, freeing the troops, civilians and family members to venture into the local communities again. Zilmer had instituted the lockdown, calling it a Period of Reflection, in the aftermath of an alleged rape incident and several other crimes charged to servicemen by Okinawa police.
The end to the lockdown wasn’t total, however, as the three-star general imposed a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on military personnel, and imposed a ban on military personnel drinking alcohol off base. There are no limitations, restrictions or curfew for civilians or family members. “The curfew, coupled with ongoing cooperative initiatives with our Japanese hosts at the national and local levels, will offer the best atmosphere for our service members, family members and civilian employees,” Zilmer said, “while reducing the possibility and risk of misconduct.”
Chatan Town’s mayor ridiculed the announcement, saying “The lockdown was just a performance by the American military.” Masaharu Noguni said the Americans “don’t think it’s real, and only was showing format. The military is very much slacking.” Noguni complained “they need to give strict education to lower ranking young service men,” teaching them “what is a human being? What is moral? They have to learn. Without learning anything,” he says, “they must not end the lockout.”
Okinawa City’s Assembly members aren’t happy with the American decision to drop the restrictions. Pointing to an incident by a Kadena airman who was drunk and exited the base during the lockout and broke into a local business, Assembly member Katsushi Yonamine said “we’re wondering how that even with a lockout the scandal happened. What does the military think about it, and how are they going to prevent incidents in the future?” he asked. The political leader predicts “their lockout system doesn’t work, and even without it working they made it end the easy way. That’s nonsense.”
“It’s unbelievable,” said Hironao Yamashiro, the Okinawa Peace Campaign Center Director. “If the scandals happen again, what will the military do? How will they take responsibility?” The Okinawa Peace Campaign Center says they must continue with plans for meetings and rallies, and protest against the military “to raise the public people’s voice.”
Six citizens groups say they’ll continue with plans for a march 23rd rally protesting the alleged rape of a 14-year-old schoolgirl by an American Marine. Japanese police and prosecutors have already dropped all charges against the American involved in that case, staff sergeant Tyrone Hadnott, 38, saying it was not in the girl’s best interests to pursue it further.
Toshinobu Nakazato, speaker of the Okinawa Prefecture Assembly, is being asked to lead the rally, but the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito say they’re not sure if they’ll lend their support. Citizens groups say they’ll stage the protest in Chatan, where the alleged rape occurred. The groups are demanding the U.S. pay damages to the young victim, change policies and procedures for service members to prevent future incidents, and are seeking a revision to the U.S. ~ Japan Status of Forces Agreement.
The chairman of the Prefecture Women’s Union is angry the lockdown was ended so quickly. “This action should continue at least three months, not only too weeks,” says Haruko Kowatari. “There is no effect at all, and just as we thought, the Americans don’t regret anything at all.” Kowatari points out nothing has changed in the 60 years since World War II ended, and says “We must appeal to the military our feelings by having the protest rally.” The Union leader is also calling for “trying to get military people away from Okinawa.”
Business leaders in communities surrounding the U.S. bases were expressing sighs of relief at having Americans back in their establishments. Hundreds of GI’s, civilians and family members quickly found their way back into stores, bars and restaurants on Gate 2 Street near Kadena Air Base, and at Mihama’s American Village and in downtown Naha.
The ban on consuming alcohol off base applies only to service members, Lt. Gen. Zilmer said, noting there are no alcohol restrictions for civilians or family members. He said both the curfew and the alcohol restrictions will be “periodically reassessed by senior service leaders.” There are no alcohol consumption restrictions aboard any U.S. base or installation, or in off-base residences occupied by SOFA-status personnel.
“As we begin to venture outside our gates, I remind all of you that we are guests in Japan and must represent our Nation with the utmost pride, professionalism and respect for our hosts,” Zilmer said. “I know the overwhelming majority of you are great ambassadors of America and will strive to reinvigorate the gret relationship we have with our Japanese neighbors.”
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda says he’s urging the military to step up campaigns to curb off base incidents. Reacting to the latest incident involving the young airman breaking into an Okinawa Contractors Association office, Fukuda said “I will tell the U.S. military we would like more meticulous measures to be taken.”
The U.S. Consul General in Naha, meanwhile, says the U.S. is ready to open discussions on who has jurisdiction over American service personnel who commit crimes off base. Kevin Maher says there could be confusion of who has authority when joint police patrols are operating. Japan has proposed the joint patrols as a means of reducing potential incidents involving GI’s.
“If there are points that are not clear over which side would make arrests,” Maher said, “I think it can be cleared up in talks by the Joint Committee.” Maher appeared to think the plans were workable, as he spoke during an interview, but Okinawa Prefecture Police aren’t so sure it is so simple.
Prefecture Police question the clarity of the regulations, which under the Status of Forces Agreement, strictly limit powers of Japanese police in cases involving American military personnel off base.
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There is just so much to talk about in this article and it’s 0020 here in Okinawa, so I will make some comments on this story tomorrow as I have a quiet few days at work. Would like to know your thoughts on this though, especially those of you who live in Okinawa
or Discuss this Article
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Thank you so much for writing this blog. It really is a good source of information for whats going on in Okinawa. It’s my impresson that the situation is quite a bit worse than any of us think. It seems that many military men are being accused by the military themselves of things that don’t make any sense and are being unfairly dealt with. For the most part these are men who enlisted in the military during a war to serve their country; yet their country (in the form of higher ranking military officials) are not protecting our troops in Okinawa.
It seems two things are happening, 1) soldiers are being turned over to Japanese authorities on allegations only and/or 2) face reprecussions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice general clauses that have no clear interpretation. The American slogan “support our troops” does not seem to be an attitude adopted by military brass. Is this standard operation procedure for the military or is this a reaction to Japanese pressure?? I’m interested in your thoughts on this.
Roxanna, while I don’t work for legal, from what I understand the Japanese Government has juristiction over all SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) status persons who commit crimes on Japanese soil (off base). This was agreed upon when the Japanese/American SOFA was drawn up. This includes the holding of those suspected of crimes.
I think this is a good thing for the military and Japanese community because we are guests in this country and if and when we commit a crime we should be subject to Japanese law. It keeps the militarys hands clean from having to protect people who have done something wrong and gives the Japanese the satisfaction that the crime is punished.
As for the UCMJ, it too has its faults but generally works well, much like the US justice system. Its not designed to punish innocent people but it is designed to effectively punish people for crimes we haven’t even considered.
Just a couple quick notes based on my perspective on the issue of Americans and Japanese law.
One of the (unfounded) rumors going around regarding the dropping of charges in the Hadnott allegations was that the Japanese couldn’t find evidence (which they need) to prosecute under Japanese law, whereas all the military (under the Uniform Code of Military Justice) had all they need to press on with punishment since Hadnott did, at the very least, admit that he violated the UCMJ in his interaction with the underage Japanese girl.
Specifically regarding the military brass “supporting our troops,” as we are in Japan, we are subject to Japanese law. Japanese law allows for a person to be taken into police custody and detained off a mere allegation. The ’support’ from military brass comes in the form of ensuring that each and every servicemember knows from day one that they are subject to Japanese law in addition to US Military law.
I was deeply saddened to hear of these happenings in the only place outside SE U.S. I could ever call home. I lived in Oki. from ‘99-05 and could go on for hours about the positives and negatives, but Ill try to keep it relevant to the current situation.The law in Oki specifically, is very fickle.
The case against Maj. Brown continued for YEARS, even after the victim recanted her statement citing that it was presented for her signature in Kanji by the police and she had no real knowledge of what it said. All she wanted was her cell phone replaced, which the Maj. threw out a car window. The Maj. even had the Japanese Bar assoc. in Tokyo on his side, calling for a declaration of mistrial to no avail.
In the case of the young woman raped in America Village, the friends of the victim who were with her right up until shortly before the incident in question publicly said they were there to meet American men and possibly trade sexual favors for shopping trips to the BX/PX (I’m not sure if any of you know just how common a practice this is, I do).
As far as the misconduct of our troops, I will not in any way say it never happens, but for the marines I have felt nothing but pity. How can you tell a young person from 0730 until 1630 “you are a professional, you are a responsible adult and will act like such. Here’s the keys to the multi million dollar equipment, weapon, live ammunition, explosives, ect” then at 1631 tell them “here’s your color coded i.d. card telling you when your curfew is, and you better not leave OR return without your liberty buddy-because you can’t be trusted to go anywhere by yourself, and here’s the list of what WE have decided that you can wear out in public including your own yard, and since we have no idea how to teach the ideals of self control, here’s the list of how much alcohol you are allowed to buy”. How can the Marine command not expect problems? You cannot treat a person like an adult for 8 hours a day and a small child the rest of the time, and not think there are going to be repercussions. My 5 and 10 year olds had more control over thier wardrobe than any grown marine.
As for the conduct of the airman, there is no excuse but his lack of personal conduct. Comparatively speaking, we had it made in the extreme next to the marines. No driving restrictions, no housing restrictions, no curfew, no alcohol restrictions, nothing.
Teresa: “You cannot treat a person like an adult for 8 hours a day and a small child the rest of the time, and not think there are going to be repercussions.”
WELL SAID. If there is any complaint that I get the most from my friend on Hansen it’s that one. He hates being treated like a child all the time. The only thing he could talk about for months was how good things were going to be once he picked up corporal. He JUST got officially promoted at the beginning of February and now he’s been hit with lockdown and more curfews. So much for his long-awaited personal freedom.