Okinawa US Marines Under Fire for Assaults

Two US Marines in their 20s stationed in Okinawa, Japan, are under investigation for alleged sexual assaults against local women in separate incidents in January and March 2024, including one case in a US military base restroom and injury to a woman who intervened. The suspects have been referred to Japanese prosecutors but remain detained by the US military, with Japanese police limited to voluntary questioning under the Status of Forces Agreement. Okinawa, which hosts about 70% of US military forces in Japan, continues to experience tension over such incidents. Governor Denny Tamaki condemned the assaults and called for preventive measures, while US Ambassador George Glass pledged full cooperation. Recent joint patrols and information-sharing initiatives have been launched, though local frustration persists due to slow progress in reducing the US military footprint. The ongoing cases are straining trust between the US military and Okinawan communities.