Residents Rally Against Alleged US Military Crimes Amid Rising Tensions
Protests erupted in Japan's Okinawa and Tokyo on Thursday, as residents voiced outrage over recent sexual assault cases allegedly involving U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa. Demonstrators demanded accountability and stronger measures to prevent recurring incidents tied to the U.S. military presence.
Okinawa police referred two Marines in their 20s to prosecutors this week over separate assaults. At a rally outside Okinawa's prefectural office, 30 residents held signs stating "Never tolerate sexual violence" and observed a moment of silence with flowers. "Not again?" asked protester Megumi Kamiya, criticizing newly implemented joint U.S.-Japan patrols as "just a performance" after witnessing officers laughing during duties.
In Tokyo, supporters gathered near the Foreign Ministry with banners like "Listen to the Voice of Okinawa," highlighting frustrations over security agreements. Organizer Masayuki Oku questioned Japan-U.S. alliance priorities: "How can we call this security when victims keep increasing?"
Okinawa—hosting 70% of U.S. bases in Japan on 0.6% of its land—has long grappled with military-related crimes. Three service members were indicted in 2023 alone, fueling calls for policy reforms.
