Outrage in Japan Sparks Rallies against Sexual Assault by US Troops

By Staff, Agencies

Rallies were held in Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, and Tokyo on Thursday to condemn sexual attacks on girls and women by the US military stationed there.

The demonstrations occurred as two US marines in Okinawa are under investigation for rape accusations, the latest in a series of assaults angering locals on the island, home to most of Japan's 54,000 US troops.

"A US marine in his 20s is suspected of raping a Japanese woman at an American military base in March, and is also suspected of injuring another woman," a local police official told the Agence-France Presse (AFP).

The second marine, who is also in his 20s, is suspected of raping a Japanese woman at a US military base in January, according to an official familiar with the matter.

Both cases involving the marines have now been formally referred to prosecutors for further legal action.

In response to the investigations, US Ambassador George Glass stated that Washington will "fully" cooperate with Japanese authorities to ensure that justice is served per the law.

"We deeply value the ties of trust and friendship we have built over many decades with our Japanese hosts, and I am committed to doing everything I can to prevent actions that may jeopardise these bonds," he said in a statement.

Locals gathered silently in front of the Okinawa prefectural government, holding flowers and banners that read: "Never tolerate sexual violence" and "We cannot turn a blind eye to this."

Megumi Kamiya, who took part in the march, expressed feeling angry and highlighted the limited effectiveness of the combined patrols by the US military and local police launched in Okinawa.

"The patrol people were walking around chatting and laughing. It seemed like it was just a performance," she continued.

On the same day, others assembled in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in central Tokyo to support the Okinawan demonstrators.