Resolution(2012 Fourth Session)

          On August 18, at approximately 4:30 AM, an incident occurred in Naha City where a U.S. Marine Corps personnel stationed in Okinawa committed an act of forced indecency and inflicted injuries to the victim. This incident has spread great shock and concern among the citizens of the prefecture.

 

          Not only do acts of forced indecency against a woman cause physical and mental anguish, it is a gravely malicious crime which encroaches on the dignity of the person being violated.

 

          Moreover, this incident was despicable in the methods that the suspect employed, taking place in the early morning hours when there were fewer people on the streets, and attacking the victim from behind and bearing down on her.

 

          There have been 5,747 cases in the number of crimes committed by U.S. Forces’ servicemembers and components after Okinawa’s reversion to Japan, as of the end of December 2011.

 

          Whenever incidents and accidents occur, which involve U.S. military servicemembers and/or other SOFA-related persons, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly has repeatedly addressed the U.S. Forces and other relevant bodies to strengthen the discipline, implement thorough preventive measures and education programs to avoid recurrences. However, another such incident has taken place despite our calls, and we cannot help but be filled with overwhelming indignation over this situation.

 

          In June 2010, the then-Okinawa Area Coordinator for USFJ announced new measures to reduce the number of incidents and accidents involving U.S. military personnel and other related persons. However, even with the implementation of these new measures, we are seeing frequent occurrences of incidents. With this, we cannot help but question the effectiveness of these measures and harbor reservations regarding the efforts placed to prevent such incidents, and the nature of the education programs provided for the U.S. military servicemembers.

 

          From the standpoint of protecting the human rights, lives and properties of the citizens of Okinawa, we, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, solemnly protest against the recent incident, and strongly demand that the following three items be carried out expeditiously.

 

 

 

1.        Full compensation and apologies to be made to the victims and their families.

 

2.        Conduct another review of the disciplinary measures and human rights education programs for the U.S. military personnel and other related persons and disclose the details of the review. Moreover, periodically disclose to the citizens of Okinawa the effects and status of the implemented measures hereafter.

 

3.        Conduct a fundamental review of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, and at the same time, promote the consolidation and reduction of base facilities.

 

          The above is resolved as stated on this 31st day of August, 2012.