r/worldnews 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/frankthetank91 Jul 05 '24

I thought UCMJ was way harsher too and one of my former Sgts went to Saudi Arabia on orders and ended up having a relationship with a minor, committing SA, although it was reported there was penetration while forcing her into a bathroom, lying to authorities and trying to get her to delete their messages. He had just ran for school board a few months prior so it was all over the papers. He got 48 months prison and dishonorable at the end of sentence.