In a recent development, Japan's top government spokesman, Yoshimasa Hayashi, has called on the U.S. military to implement stricter preventive measures against sexual assaults in Okinawa. This statement comes in the wake of a troubling incident last November involving a U.S. Marine accused of assaulting and injuring a woman in the southernmost prefecture.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi expressed his concerns during a press conference on Thursday, emphasizing the need for the U.S. forces stationed in Japan to tighten their discipline and fully enforce preventive protocols. \"We will urge U.S. forces in Japan to tighten discipline and fully implement preventive measures,\" Hayashi stated.
The Okinawa police have referred the case to prosecutors, marking it as the latest in a series of violent attacks on women in the region. Okinawa hosts 70 percent of all U.S. military bases in Japan, despite comprising only 0.6 percent of the country's total land area. The persistent issues of crimes committed by U.S. service members and non-military personnel continue to be a significant source of grievance among the local population.
The Japanese government's stance highlights ongoing tensions and the urgent need for collaborative efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of Okinawa's residents.
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Japan urges U.S. military to prevent sexual assaults in Okinawa
cgtn.com
