A US Army soldier stationed in the southernmost Japanese prefecture of Okinawa is facing serious legal consequences after being referred to prosecutors on suspicion of sexual assault and causing injury to a woman.
According to reports from NHK and local media, police in Okinawa notified the prefectural government on Friday that the suspect, a man in his 20s, has been formally referred for charges including nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury.
The allegations suggest that the assault occurred outdoors on the main island of Okinawa. The victim sustained injuries that are expected to take several weeks to heal, according to reports. Furthermore, the soldier is accused of failing to report a traffic accident that caused property damage, allegedly fleeing the scene in a vehicle and returning to his military base immediately following the incident.
While authorities have not yet disclosed whether the suspect has admitted to the claims, the incident has reignited concerns regarding the impact of the US military presence in the region. Okinawa hosts approximately 70% of all US military facilities in Japan, and residents have long voiced grievances over issues ranging from noise pollution and traffic accidents to criminal activities involving military personnel.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
