Japanese and US officials announced on Friday that a rare joint patrol will take place in Okinawa on the night of April 18, following a string of sexual assault cases involving American military personnel stationed in the region.
The operation, which will be conducted through busy public areas into the early hours of April 19, marks the first such patrol in Okinawa since the 1970s. Local police, US military officials, and potentially governor Denny Tamaki will take part. The initiative was proposed by the US as part of efforts to restore trust and prevent further incidents.
“This joint patrol reflects our continued commitment to partnership, accountability, and mutual respect,” said lieutenant general Roger Turner, commander of the III Marine expeditionary force and the okinawa area coordinator. “By working side-by-side with our Japanese counterparts, we are reinforcing shared standards and contributing to the safety and trust that are essential to the strength of the US-Japan alliance.”
Okinawa hosts the majority of the approximately 54,000 US troops stationed in Japan. While the military presence has long been a point of tension for residents, recent high-profile assaults have reignited anger and intensified scrutiny of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which governs the legal handling of crimes committed by US personnel.
Several incidents have heightened tensions in recent years. In March 2024, a 25-year-old US soldier was charged with allegedly assaulting a girl under 16 years old. Shortly after, in June, a 21-year-old US Marine Corps member was charged with rape.
A significant incident in 1995, where three US soldiers gang-raped a 12-year-old girl in Okinawa, sparked major protests and calls to reconsider the 1960 pact that allows US troops to be stationed in Japan.
Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba has pledged to review the SOFA, citing public concern that the agreement limits Japan’s ability to hold US personnel accountable. Under the current arrangement, US authorities typically retain custody of suspects unless they are caught in the act of a crime.
Joint patrols were discussed as early as July 2024, but Okinawa police were initially hesitant due to jurisdictional concerns under SOFA. The plan moved forward after discussions between US military leaders, Okinawa prefectural police, and officials from Japan’s foreign and defense ministries.
Local officials and residents are expected to join the patrol, which will focus on downtown areas, including those near Kadena Air Base. Authorities hope the initiative will deter late-night activity among US troops and demonstrate a commitment to public safety.
The operation, which will be conducted through busy public areas into the early hours of April 19, marks the first such patrol in Okinawa since the 1970s. Local police, US military officials, and potentially governor Denny Tamaki will take part. The initiative was proposed by the US as part of efforts to restore trust and prevent further incidents.
“This joint patrol reflects our continued commitment to partnership, accountability, and mutual respect,” said lieutenant general Roger Turner, commander of the III Marine expeditionary force and the okinawa area coordinator. “By working side-by-side with our Japanese counterparts, we are reinforcing shared standards and contributing to the safety and trust that are essential to the strength of the US-Japan alliance.”
Okinawa hosts the majority of the approximately 54,000 US troops stationed in Japan. While the military presence has long been a point of tension for residents, recent high-profile assaults have reignited anger and intensified scrutiny of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which governs the legal handling of crimes committed by US personnel.
Several incidents have heightened tensions in recent years. In March 2024, a 25-year-old US soldier was charged with allegedly assaulting a girl under 16 years old. Shortly after, in June, a 21-year-old US Marine Corps member was charged with rape.
A significant incident in 1995, where three US soldiers gang-raped a 12-year-old girl in Okinawa, sparked major protests and calls to reconsider the 1960 pact that allows US troops to be stationed in Japan.
Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba has pledged to review the SOFA, citing public concern that the agreement limits Japan’s ability to hold US personnel accountable. Under the current arrangement, US authorities typically retain custody of suspects unless they are caught in the act of a crime.
Joint patrols were discussed as early as July 2024, but Okinawa police were initially hesitant due to jurisdictional concerns under SOFA. The plan moved forward after discussions between US military leaders, Okinawa prefectural police, and officials from Japan’s foreign and defense ministries.
Local officials and residents are expected to join the patrol, which will focus on downtown areas, including those near Kadena Air Base. Authorities hope the initiative will deter late-night activity among US troops and demonstrate a commitment to public safety.
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