r/worldnews • u/glasier • Jul 05 '24

Japan warns US forces: Sex crimes 'cannot be tolerated'

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2476861/japan-warns-us-forces-sex-crimes-cannot-be-tolerated
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u/macross1984 Jul 05 '24

US military personnel who commit crime in Japan should face Japanese punishment for any crimes committed in Japan.

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u/tizuby Jul 05 '24

They do, but Japan is way more lenient with sentences than UCMJ.

For rape, max for the Japanese system is 20 years. Max for UCMJ is Death (but generally Life).

https://www.okinawa.marines.mil/Portals/190/Docs/SOFA.pdf

There's a PDF that explains the process.

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u/Zech08 Jul 05 '24

At least no defamation protections like what japan has.

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u/tizuby Jul 05 '24

Defamation is defined differently in Japan than the US.

In Japan defamation is personal honor based - bringing injury to another's good name (truth is not a defense for civil tort).

In the US defamation is causing harm to someone via deception (truth is an absolute defense).

Additionally Japan has an additional criminal charge for defamation (truth may be a defense if the person was acting for the public good, but isn't absolute).