18 Oct 2012
Two U.S sailors are being held in Okinawa suspected of raping a Japanese woman in her 20s.
According to Japan update, details of the arrests are being withheld pending investigations. Both sailors are from the Fort Worth Naval base in Texas. The alleged incident occurred on Tuesday around 4.30 am when the woman was walking home.
According to the newspaper, the men approached her from behind, dragged her into an alley and committed the crime. The woman had suffered some injuries on her neck.
Both men were posted to Okinawa base only 48 hours before the incident and they were being assigned to Guam. The newspaper said both men have said that they have been drinking prior to the incident.
The sailors were apprehended at a hotel nearby.
In the meantime, the incident has sparked protests in Okinawa. The governor of Okinawa Hirokazu Nakaima who is currently traveling in Tokyo has said that he would lodge a protest with U.S Ambassador John Ross on Friday.
The U.S government in a statement on Thursday said that they were working closely with relevant authorities in their investigations of an alleged assault of female Japanese citizen in Okinawa on October 16th.
“We are working closely with the Government of Japan and relevant local authorities in their investigation of an alleged assault of a female Japanese citizen in Okinawa Oct. 16 by two U.S. service members. The Department of Defense takes all incidents and allegations involving misconduct by service members seriously and pledges its continued cooperation. We deeply regret any grief and trauma the victim may have endured. U.S. Forces Japan is actively engaged with the Government of Japan and the U.S. Navy is fully cooperating with authorities in Okinawa as they continue their investigation. We are also examining and will soon announce a package of measures to ensure responsible behavior and to demonstrate our commitment to maintaining positive relationships with the local communities that host our forces.” the statement said.
According to Japan update, details of the arrests are being withheld pending investigations. Both sailors are from the Fort Worth Naval base in Texas. The alleged incident occurred on Tuesday around 4.30 am when the woman was walking home.
According to the newspaper, the men approached her from behind, dragged her into an alley and committed the crime. The woman had suffered some injuries on her neck.
Both men were posted to Okinawa base only 48 hours before the incident and they were being assigned to Guam. The newspaper said both men have said that they have been drinking prior to the incident.
The sailors were apprehended at a hotel nearby.
In the meantime, the incident has sparked protests in Okinawa. The governor of Okinawa Hirokazu Nakaima who is currently traveling in Tokyo has said that he would lodge a protest with U.S Ambassador John Ross on Friday.
The U.S government in a statement on Thursday said that they were working closely with relevant authorities in their investigations of an alleged assault of female Japanese citizen in Okinawa on October 16th.
“We are working closely with the Government of Japan and relevant local authorities in their investigation of an alleged assault of a female Japanese citizen in Okinawa Oct. 16 by two U.S. service members. The Department of Defense takes all incidents and allegations involving misconduct by service members seriously and pledges its continued cooperation. We deeply regret any grief and trauma the victim may have endured. U.S. Forces Japan is actively engaged with the Government of Japan and the U.S. Navy is fully cooperating with authorities in Okinawa as they continue their investigation. We are also examining and will soon announce a package of measures to ensure responsible behavior and to demonstrate our commitment to maintaining positive relationships with the local communities that host our forces.” the statement said.
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