Japan warns sex crimes committed by US forces ‘cannot be tolerated'
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Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa expressed profound distress following revelations that five US soldiers were implicated in sexual assault cases in Japan.
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Then-Minister of Justice Yoko Kamikawa gestures during a press conference at the former prime minister's official residence on September 16, 2020, in Tokyo. (AP)
Japan strongly condemned the recent cases of sexual assault involving US forces on Thursday, asserting that such incidents "cannot be tolerated," urging Washington to take effective measures to prevent future occurrences.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa expressed "deep pain" over the revelation of five instances of sexual assault by American forces. "The occurrence of these incidents is such that I feel this cannot be tolerated," she said while addressing reporters' inquiries.
Japan hosts around 50,000 US troops under a bilateral security pact, with approximately half stationed in Okinawa. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed on Wednesday that five cases of sexual abuse by US forces were reported last year, primarily in Okinawa.
"I am promoting the ideals and concepts (that) include the protection of human rights and dignity of women," she said, according to a video of her news conference held in Tokyo. The occurrence of sexual crimes "is the central challenge," she added.
Kamikawa emphasized the prevention of sexual violence by military personnel and the pursuit of responsibility and punishment. "Based on these ideals, we have been promoting approaches," she said.
Demand for thorough communication with provincial authorities
Kamikawa emphasized that the Foreign Ministry will collaborate with the US authorities to implement "specific measures and will also ask them to be thorough about preventing incidents."
Regarding concerns raised by Okinawa authorities, Kamikawa noted that Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki had lodged a protest and stressed the importance of thorough communication regarding these incidents.
Last week, Okinawa authorities expressed frustration over inadequate communication regarding sex crimes involving US soldiers.
In recent legal actions, US Marine Jamel Clayton was indicted by the Naha district prosecutor’s office for attempted rape and injury to a woman. Clayton, arrested in May, was formally indicted on June 17.
Additionally, prosecutors recently indicted Senior US Airman Brennon Washington for alleged sexual assault and the kidnapping of a minor in December of the previous year.
On a similar note, late last month, a US Air Force soldier was indicted on June 28 for the alleged rape and kidnapping of a 16-year-old Japanese schoolgirl in December last year.
25-year-old Brennon R.E. Washington was charged with "non-consensual sexual intercourse" and "indecent kidnapping" on March 27, according to a court spokesperson in Naha. The perpetrator was then turned over to the Japanese authorities by the US military.
