US Airman Sentenced for Assault in Okinawa

A U.S. airman, Brennon R.E. Washington, stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, was sentenced to five years in prison by the Naha District Court for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a girl under 16 years old. The court found Washington guilty of luring the minor into his car, taking her to his residence, and committing the assault, despite knowing her age, using a translation app for communication. The case sparked outrage and renewed anti-base sentiments in Okinawa as it was not disclosed to local authorities until months after the indictment. The U.S. military has expressed regret over the incident, highlighting its impact on U.S.-Okinawa relations, already strained by previous incidents involving military personnel. The incident led to a review of information-sharing protocols between the central government and local authorities and prompted local demonstrations and calls for changes to the status of forces agreement governing U.S. military presence in Japan.