U.S. military apologizes for sexual assault case in Okinawa
It marks the first official apology from the U.S. military following a series of similar incidents involving U.S. service members that have surfaced since last year.
'We apologize for the anxiety this has caused the people of Okinawa, and our thoughts are with the victim in this case,' said Col. Neil J. Owens of the 3rd Marine Division, addressing Masahito Tamari, an aide to the Okinawa governor.
Owens also pledged that the U.S. military would strengthen internal discipline, continue educating troops on appropriate conduct and maintain joint patrols with local police.
Tamari responded firmly, expressing deep anger over the repeated offenses.
'These actions show a blatant disregard for women's human rights. We cannot help but question the U.S. military's internal controls and the adequacy of its training,' he said.
The apology follows a case that occurred in May of last year, when a Marine was charged with injuring a local woman during a sexual assault. The Naha District Court sentenced him to seven years in prison on June 24.
According to Okinawa officials, the U.S. military offered to apologize shortly after the verdict was handed down.
The convicted Marine has appealed the ruling.
Okinawa, which hosts a disproportionately large share of the U.S. military facilities in Japan, has endured a history of similar crimes spanning decades.
This has fueled deep-rooted resentment among locals and prefectural officials and calls for fundamental changes to the U.S. military's presence and conduct.
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Japan Times
2 days ago
- Japan Times
U.S. military apologizes over Okinawa sexual assault case
A senior officer of the U.S. Marine Corps on Thursday apologized to Okinawa Prefecture over a recent conviction of a Marine for sexually assaulting a woman in the prefecture. This marked the first direct apology from the U.S. military to the Okinawa Prefectural Government for a series of sexual crimes committed by U.S. servicemen in the prefecture since last year. "We apologize for the anxiety that this has caused the people of Okinawa, and our thoughts are with the victim in this case," Col. Neil Owens, chief of staff for the 3rd Marine Division, said at the Okinawa Prefectural Government office in Naha. Owens also explained efforts to prevent a recurrence, such as strict regulations on nighttime outings and drinking by members. "We cannot help but feel strong indignation because (the offenders) ignored women's human rights and dignity," Masahito Tamari, head of the Okinawa governor's office, said in response to the apology. He criticized the series of incidents involving U.S. servicemen, saying, "It's very regrettable that we have no choice but to have doubts about the enforcement of discipline and the education of officials." Last month, the Naha District Court sentenced Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, 22, to seven years in prison over nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury to the woman in May last year. Clayton has appealed to the Naha Branch of Fukuoka High Court.
Japan Today
3 days ago
- Japan Today
U.S. military apologizes over Okinawa sexual assault by serviceman
A senior U.S. military official apologized to the Okinawa prefectural government on Thursday over a 2024 sexual assault case involving a serviceman, saying the incident had caused anxiety among local residents as well as the victim. Col Neil Owens, chief of staff for the 3rd Marine Division, offered the apology, during a visit to the Okinawa prefectural office, a little over a week after Lance Cpl Jamel Clayton was sentenced to seven years in prison in late June. Clayton, 22, has been accused of injuring a woman in her 20s by choking her while attempting to rape her. He has since appealed the ruling. Several sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in the southern Japanese prefecture have come to light since June last year. Owens' apology was the first formal one from U.S. forces to the prefectural government following the incidents, according to local officials. The U.S. military suggested continuing a joint patrol with Japanese police as a measure to prevent a recurrence of sexual crimes. "It was a vicious incident that ignores the human rights of women," said Masahito Tamari, director general of the Okinawa governor's office, adding he could not help but question the internal governance of the U.S. forces. According to the Naha District Court's ruling, Clayton choked the woman from behind in Yomitan in May 2024 and attempted to have sexual intercourse by unbuttoning her pants. She suffered eye injuries that required about two weeks of treatment. The prefecture hosts the bulk of U.S. military installations in Japan, and anti-base sentiment runs deep due to aircraft noise, pollution and crimes committed by American service members. © KYODO
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- The Mainichi
US military apologizes over Okinawa sexual assault by serviceman
NAHA, Japan (Kyodo) -- A senior U.S. military official apologized to the Okinawa prefectural government on Thursday over a 2024 sexual assault case involving a serviceman, saying the incident had caused anxiety among local residents as well as the victim. Col. Neil Owens, chief of staff for the 3rd Marine Division, offered the apology, during a visit to the Okinawa prefectural office, a little over a week after Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton was sentenced to seven years in prison in late June. Clayton, 22, has been accused of injuring a woman in her 20s by choking her while attempting to rape her. He has since appealed the ruling. Several sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in the southern Japanese prefecture have come to light since June last year. Owens' apology was the first formal one from U.S. forces to the prefectural government following the incidents, according to local officials. The U.S. military suggested continuing a joint patrol with Japanese police as a measure to prevent a recurrence of sexual crimes. "It was a vicious incident that ignores the human rights of women," said Masahito Tamari, director general of the Okinawa governor's office, adding he could not help but question the internal governance of the U.S. forces. According to the Naha District Court's ruling, Clayton choked the woman from behind in Yomitan in May 2024 and attempted to have sexual intercourse by unbuttoning her pants. She suffered eye injuries that required about two weeks of treatment. The prefecture hosts the bulk of U.S. military installations in Japan, and anti-base sentiment runs deep due to aircraft noise, pollution and crimes committed by American service members.
