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Japan Today
4 hours ago
- Politics
- 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
14 hours ago
- Politics
- 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.
16 hours ago
- Politics
U.S. Military Apologizes over Okinawa Sexual Assault Case
News from Japan Society Jul 3, 2025 19:10 (JST) Naha, Okinawa Pref., July 3 (Jiji Press)--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 southernmost Japan prefecture. This marked the first direct apology from the U.S. military to the Okinawa prefectural government in 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 night-time 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. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
NHK
17 hours ago
- NHK
US forces in Okinawa apologize for Marine's conviction in attempted sex assault
The chief of staff of the US Marine Corps in Okinawa has apologized to Okinawa Prefecture for the recent conviction of a Marine for attempted sexual assault. Colonel Neil Owens, chief of staff for the Third Marine Division, visited the prefectural government office in Naha City on Thursday to offer an apology. The 22-year-old US Marine lance corporal was sentenced to seven years in prison in June for attempting to sexually assault a woman, resulting in injury. The assault occurred on Okinawa's main island in May last year. Owens told senior prefectural officials that he wants to apologize to the victim and people in Okinawa who were made anxious by the Marine's conviction. The head of the Okinawa governor's office, Tamari Masahito, told Owens that there have been eight sex-related cases involving US troops in Okinawa since December 2023. Tamari noted that while the US forces say only some members are causing trouble, there seems to be no end to sexual assault cases involving US military personnel. He said he cannot help but question the internal controls of the US forces. Owens responded that the division takes very seriously all the incidents and accidents caused by Marines, and has set high standards of conduct for its members. He said many Marines adhere to these standards outside bases, and those who don't are held accountable. He indicated his intention to work with the relevant entities to prevent a recurrence.
