Rape case raises questions over U.S. forces' operation
(From The Japan Times Feb. 14 issue)

米兵による少女暴行事件

Okinawa Prefectural Police have arrested a 38-year-old U.S. Marine on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old girl. It is hoped that the United States Forces Japan will fully cooperate with Japanese investigators to determine the facts on the alleged crime while strengthening the discipline of its members.

This incident reminds Okinawan people of the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old girl by three U.S. servicemen. It could harden their attitude not only to the plan to move Futenma Air Station from Ginowan to Nago as part of U.S. forces realignment but to the very presence of U.S. military bases in Okinawa.

The arrested marine is suspected of raping the girl inside a car in the town of Chatan on Feb. 10. He has denied raping her but has admitted forcing the girl down and kissing her. Even if he did not rape her, his admitted actions constitute serious sexual assault. As expected, the central and local governments have reacted strongly.

The responsibilities of the USFJ and the U.S. government are great. They must take the Okinawan people's anger and fear into consideration, apologize to them and take sufficient preventive measures, including implementing stronger moral education of U.S. service members.

The latest incident reinforces the case for revising the Status of Forces Agreement to strengthen Japan's legal investigatory powers in cases involving U.S. service members.

沖縄県警は、米海兵隊員（38）を沖縄の少女（14）を暴行した疑いで逮捕した。米軍当局は県警と協力して、事件の真相を明らかにし、米兵の規律を強化するべきだ。

事件は、1995年に起きた、米軍兵士3人による12歳少女の集団暴行事件を思い起こさせる。今回の事件で、普天間基地の宜野湾から名護への移転計画ばかりでなく、沖縄の米軍基地そのものへの反対が強まるだろう。

逮捕された海兵隊員は、暴行を否定しているが、押し倒してキスしようとしたことは認めている。米軍は、沖縄県民の怒りと不安を考え、再発防止策を取らねばならぬ。

事件は、米軍兵士の関係する事件について日本当局の捜査の権限を法的に強化するために、日米地位協定を改定する必要を示している。