Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 21, 2008 12:29:07 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Okinawa Protesters Rip US Military Crimes

Posted Mar 23, 08 11:23 CDT in Crime & Courts,  World 

(Newser) – Thousands poured into the streets of Okinawa today to protest crimes by US servicemen and to demand a smaller American military presence on the Japanese island, Reuters reports. "Crimes and accidents have happened over and over," said the mayor of Okinawa City. "But each time, our voices have been trampled and there has been no end to the heinous crimes."

It was one of the largest demonstrations against the US military since 1995, when three US servicemen raped a 12-year-old girl. Protesters today adopted a resolution demanding consolidation of the US bases where 50,000 servicemen work, and greater legal jurisdiction for Japanese authorities. Protests were sparked again last month when a US serviceman was accused of raping a schoolgirl. The girl has dropped charges, but a US military investigation is continuing.

Source Reuters

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Okinawa Marine Gets 4 Years for Teen Sex Abuse

    May 16, 08 8:40 CDT
    Okinawa Marine Gets 4 Years for Teen Sex Abuse The US marine accused of raping a 14-year-old Japanese girl was sentenced by court martial today to four years in prison, after pleading guilty to abusive sexual conduct, Reuters reports. The other charges against 38-year-old Sgt. Tyrone Hadnott, including rape and kidnapping, were dropped. With his plea deal, Hadnott will serve only three of the four years. He was dishonorably discharged.   More »

  • Marine Guilty of Sex 'Misconduct' in Hiroshima

    May 9, 08 5:23 CDT
    Marine Guilty of Sex 'Misconduct' in Hiroshima A US Marine was convicted of "wrongful sexual misconduct" with a 19-year-old Japanese woman, but was acquitted of the more serious charge of rape, reports CNN. The Marine, 20, is one of four accused of attacking the woman in Hiroshima. The case was heard by an American military court amid mounting anger over the US military presence in Japan after Japanese authorities decided not to press charges. More »

  • US Charges Marine With Okinawa Rape

    Apr 25, 08 9:32 CDT
    US Charges Marine With Okinawa Rape The US military has charged a Marine with rape of a child, adultery, and kidnapping after an assault on a 14-year-old girl in Okinawa, CNN reports. Japanese officials had released the Marine earlier this year after the girl, apparently not wanting to be in the public eye, dropped the allegations. But US officials investigated for violations of the military justice code. The incident has infuriated residents of Okinawa. More »

  • Japan Busts US Sailor in Murder-Robbery

    Apr 3, 08 6:05 CDT
    Japan Busts US Sailor in Murder-Robbery Japanese police arrested a US sailor today on suspicion of stabbing a taxi driver to death and then robbing him, Reuters reports. The 22-year-old Nigerian national serving in the American Navy was already in US custody on charges of desertion. The American ambassador to Japan was forced to apologize for yet another US serviceman implicated in a crime in recent months. More »

  • 4 Marines Face Court-Martial in Hiroshima Rape Case

    Mar 6, 08 6:10 CST
    4 Marines Face Court-Martial in Hiroshima Rape Case The American military has announced it will court-martial four Marines on charges of gang-raping a Japanese woman in Hiroshima last year. The first two Marines will face a general court-martial in late April or early May. Japanese prosecutors had concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to charge them in a civilian proceeding. More »

A student holds a banner during a rally against an alleged rape in February of a 14-year-old girl by an American serviceman in Okinawa islands, Japan, Sunday, March 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
Some 6,000 people stage a protest rally against an alleged rape in February of a 14-year-old girl by an American serviceman in Okinawa islands, Japan, Sunday, March 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
A protester holds a placard during a rally against an alleged rape in February of a 14-year-old girl by an American serviceman in Okinawa.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
Some 6,000 stage a protest rally against an alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl by an American serviceman in Okinawa, Japan, Sunday, March 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

Japan • rape • military • Okinawa • military bases


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »