By Karen Diep
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
TOKYO, Japan – On Tuesday, Japanese authorities arrested two United States sailors for allegedly raping a Japanese woman on the island of Okinawa.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Osamu Fujimura, shared that ministry defense representatives informed United States officials that “the incident is completely unacceptable.”
“[We] have strongly requested measures to increase discipline and prevent things like this from happening again,” said Mr. Fujimura.
“This should never have been allowed to happen,” stated Japan’s Prime Minister, Yoshihiko, to Japanese reporters.
The two sailors were identified as Petty Officer 3rd Class Skyler Dozierwalker and Seaman Christopher Browning of the Fort Worth Naval Air Base in Texas. Furthermore, according to information relayed to the Huffington Post, the two men were drinking before they purportedly raped her.
United States Ambassador, John Roos, stated that the United States was “extremely concerned by recent allegations of misconduct” by the two servicemen.
“We are committed to cooperating fully with the Japanese authorities in their investigation,” continued Mr. Roos.
On Friday, Lieutenant General Salvatore Angelella apologized in a statement that announced the United States’ plan to impose a curfew. “I want to personally apologize for the grief and trauma the victim has endured,” shared the lieutenant.
The curfew confines United States military personnel to the base, a personal home, or hotel between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. This curfew will affect an estimated fifty thousand servicemen currently stationed in Japan.
It is important to note that the relationship between the United States and Okinawans has already been strained by events in the past.
Last month, more than one hundred thousand gathered to protest the deployment of the Marine Corps Osprey aircraft. Many Okinawans believe this is adding to the already heavy United States presence in the area.
Furthermore, prior to Tuesday’s attack, in August of this year, a U.S. Marine was arrested for purportedly molesting and assaulting a woman Okinawa’s capital, Naha.
Moreover, in 1992, three United States personnel allegedly gang-raped a twelve-year-old girl on Okinawa. The event caused the United States to reduce military presence on the island.
The United States currently bases approximately twenty six thousand troops on Okinawa.
For further information, please see:
CNN – U.S. troops in Okinawa on curfew after arrests in rape case – 19 Oct. 2012
New York Times – Curfew is Imposed on the U.S. Military in Japan Amid Rape Inquiries – 19 Oct. 2012
BBC – US troops held over Okinawa alleged rape – 17 Oct. 2012
Huffington Post – Okinawa Military Rape Arrests: Japan Decries U.S. Troops in Sexual Assault Allegations – 17 Oct. 2012
