Nov 4, 2012

American serviceman hit a boy in Okinawa although nighttime curfew has been issued



Japanese police are investigating claims that an American serviceman attacked a boy on the Island of Okinawa. Officials say the serviceman illegally entered an apartment Friday and and hit the 13-year-old boy in the face. The 24-year-old American then jumped out of a third floor window, injuring himself. He received care in an American military hospital. Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda strongly criticized the incident. He noted that it took place while American troops in Japan are under a nighttime curfew. American military officials ordered the curfew two weeks ago after two American sailors were arrested for the suspected rape of an Okinawan woman.

original news

(日本語訳)
日本の警察は、アメリカの兵士が沖縄で少年を襲った事件について捜査している。当局の発表によると兵士は金曜日不法にアパートに侵入し、13歳の少年を殴ったとされている。24歳のアメリカ人は、そのあと三階の窓から飛び降り、怪我をした。彼はアメリカ軍病院で治療を受けている。日本の野田佳彦首相は事件を強く批判した。彼は、日本に駐留しているアメリカ軍に、夜間外出禁止令が出ているにも拘らず、このことが起きたことを強調した。アメリカ軍幹部は、二人のアメリカ水兵が沖縄女性への強姦容疑で逮捕された二週間前に夜間外出禁止令を出していた。


2 comments:

ジョン said...

arrested for suspected rape
--> arrested for the suspected rape

This story upset me when I first heard about it. This sort of thing can easily lead to increased anti-foreigner sentiment in Japan. I wish those servicemen would be better behaved because they are guests in Okinawa. I'm glad that the incident wasn't worse, though.

bikenglish said...

Jon-san,

Thank you for posting your opinion.

Every year, we have heard that violent crimes by US's servicemen in Okinawa have happen several times. Those include rape incidents.
Several people say that they don't need military bases in Okinawa.

But problem is not simple. There are many people who depend on the activities of military bases in their economy. And Japan's security in Eastern Asia is under US's military force.

If you are in Japan and face a chance to talk about these incidents in Okinawa, you should carefully chose your words because there are sensitive people, especially women on those things.