- Title: JAPAN/FILE: Two U.S. servicemen arrested in Okinawa for suspected rape
- Date: 17th October 2012
- Summary: KADENA AIRBASE, OKINAWA PREFECTURE, JAPAN (FILE - APRIL 13, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT LANDING AT U.S. BASE IN OKINAWA WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES (FILE - AUGUST 3, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MV-22 OSPREY TILT-ROTOR AIRCRAFT TAKING OFF
- Embargoed: 1st November 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA3PQBALL0UJ0NJMMDEYLOM894F
- Story Text: Police say two U.S. servicemen have been arrested in Japan's southern Okinawa Prefecture on suspicion of raping a Japanese woman.
Two U.S. servicemen were arrested in Japan's southern island of Okinawa on suspicion of raping a Japanese woman, police said on Wednesday (October 17), in an incident that could strain Tokyo's ties with Washington.
The case comes at a time when public opinion in Okinawa is at odds with Tokyo for allowing the U.S. deployment of Osprey hybrid aircraft on the island despite lingering concerns about their safety.
The arrests also coincide with a sharp deterioration in Japan's relations with China over a disputed East China Sea island chain that makes it strategically important for Tokyo to reaffirm its alliance with the United States.
U.S. ambassador to Japan John Roos said his government was extremely concerned by the incident and was committed to cooperating fully with the Japanese authorities in their investigation.
"This is a very serious matter and it is the full intent of the United States Government to provide full and complete and unequivocal cooperation to the Japanese authorities in their investigation of this matter," Roos said.
"I understand, I do understand, the anger that many people feel with respect to these, this reported incident. I wouldn't be honest with you if I didn't tell you that I didn't share some of that anger. And I know that we in the United States, without prejudging this current situation, it's very very important that we, as we have always done in the past, work our hearts out to earn the trust of the Okinawan people and the people of Japan as a whole," he added.
The two U.S. servicemen are suspected of raping a woman early on Tuesday (October 16) morning in central Okinawa, an Okinawa police spokesman said.
He said one of the men had confessed to the rape but the other had denied being involved.
The case will likely be handled under Japan's judicial system, he added.
"We've made our views clear to U.S. Ambassador Roos. In addition, both the Okinawan representative of the Defense Ministry and our regional liaison with the U.S. have told the commander of the U.S. forces in Japan that the incident is completely unacceptable. They have strongly requested measures to increase discipline and prevent things like this from happening again," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said.
"This should never have been allowed to happen," Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters on the way to his office.
Okinawa is a major centre for the U.S. military based in Japan.
Friction over U.S. bases in Okinawa intensified after the 1995 gang rape of a Japanese schoolgirl by U.S. servicemen.
The case sparked widespread protests by Okinawans, who had long resented the American presence due to crime, noise and deadly accidents. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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