US sailor arrested in Okinawa on suspicion of rape

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Guardian

US sailor arrested in Okinawa on suspicion of rape

Case is likely to increase anger towards US military on the Japanese island, which is at the centre of a bitter battle over the relocation of a US airbase

Justin McCurry in Tokyo
Monday 14 March 2016 03.22 EDT

Japan has issued a strong protest to the US after the arrest of an American serviceman on suspicion of raping a woman in Okinawa, in a case that could fuel anger towards the US military presence on the island.

Okinawa, located 1,000m south of Tokyo, is already at the centre of a bitter political battle over the relocation of a US marine corps airbase, 20 years after Tokyo and Washington agreed to the move.

Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said the government had lodged a protest with the US embassy in Tokyo and US military officials in Japan.

Suga told reporters that the alleged crime was “extremely regrettable”, adding that the government had demanded that the US improve discipline among servicemen.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/14/us-sailor-arrested-in-okinawa-on-suspicion-of

[davidpdx]

1. There have been cases in both Korea and Japan of this happening

Most of the military personal are top notch professionals, but there is always a few really bad ones. The thing to watch is whether the guy is charged under military law or Japanese law. I believe it depends on the SOFA with each country. My guess is the Japanese are going to want to try him.

[Old Vet]

2. If in fact hes guilty of these charges..........

He better hope that hes disciplined by a American court martial, The Japanese take these crimes extremely serious.

[EL34x4]

4. He'll spend time in a Japanese prison.

One of the grievances against us was that the US military was quick to haul offenders back to the States, denying the Japanese their opportunity to administer justice. The policy now is that for many convictions, Japanese prison awaits. Leavenworth will come later.

On a related note, duty in Japan was not considered desirable in part because the Navy enforced very restrictive liberty. Sailors and Marines weren't allowed to do much of anything off base. This was in response to crimes committed by service members. Lately the Navy had relaxed liberty restrictions a little bit. I suppose this will come to an end. As my Chief once said, "One person shits their pants, we all gotta wear a diaper."

[Chakab]

3. Another one?

My sympathies to the victim.

[greymouse]

5. lomg overdue to get rid of that base.

[MADem]

6. There are not many Sailors at Camp Schwab.

It's mostly USMC. Wonder if he was a corpsman? If so, he can kiss that career goodbye, if he's found guilty of this charge.

I am rather curious why the Sailor (an E-2, per Stripes) would be in Naha? It's a huge distance away--an hour an a half, at least. It's not convenient to Kadena, but it's sure as hell not convenient to Naha, where there's not much in the way of military presence save the occasional ship--usually USNS, not USN-- that pulls into the port down there (though most go to White Beach or other facilities). Who can afford to go partying in Naha?


More here: http://www.stripes.com/news/sailor-charged-with-raping-japanese-woman-in-okinawa-hotel-1.399138

This article says the woman was in the LOBBY (!?): http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/03/15/US-sailor-arrested-for-rape-in-Okinawa/4541458011243/

And--this will probably be a shock to a lot of people, I will say I am surprised because I didn't know this--the charge is, apparently, not "rape," but "quasi-rape"--really (sounds like a Republican wrote that law): http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201603140057

Castellanos was arrested without warrant on suspicion of “quasi-rape.”

The term “quasi-rape” is used in cases in which an assailant sexually violates a woman by taking advantage of her inability to resist.

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

This is a very odd and sad story.