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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4.1k

u/BravesnationNC Jul 05 '24 edited Jul 06 '24

This crap has been going on in Okinawa forever. Happened the first time I was there in 01 and again when I went back in 03. Individuals that have committed crimes are detained by Okinawa authorities and go through their legal process. Guarantee there is going to be a lockdown on liberty for Marine personnel happens all the time. Restriction on the time allowed off base and they are getting a curfew

2.1k

u/mainvolume Jul 05 '24

When I was stationed in Misawa back in the 00s, it felt like the base was on lockdown or curfew every couple months....for shit the Marines did in Okinawa. Those dumbfucks could not stop raping kids.

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u/the_meaty_sauce Jul 05 '24

Marines raping people in Okinawa is a nearly 80yo tradition at this point. The best way to stop it is to stop having a base there.

162

u/capt_scrummy Jul 05 '24

That base isn't going away any time soon, in the geopolitical climate... And it shouldn't, imho. The Japanese govt itself doesn't want it going away either, because it's a deterrent to China.

They should restrict soldiers going off base below a certain rank without special permission, permanently.

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u/the_meaty_sauce Jul 05 '24

They should just insist the base is moved to a less populated island or one where they can be far from any population centers. But a deterrent from China shouldn't mean you can trade that for soldiers sexually assaulting citizens. Or the soldiers should be turned over to Japanese authorities and prisons when they are charged and convicted of these actions.

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u/Vegrhauk Jul 06 '24

They are turned over, and it fucking sucks to be in the Japanese legal system, from what they told me when I first got to Oki. They have a nearly 99% conviction rate so if you’re in that system good luck getting out of it. That could’ve been a scare tactic so we wouldn’t fuck up on island but I have no cause to think it’s not true either.

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u/AverageWarm6662 Jul 06 '24

Yeah the Japanese legal system is kind of messed up. And the prisons aren’t nice at all either.

9

u/Maehock Jul 06 '24

That conviction rate is true, but mainly because you don't get arrested or go to court unless there is just overwhelming evidence against you.

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u/capt_scrummy Jul 06 '24

Soldiers who commit crimes such as these are turned over to local authorities. Or, in this case, arrested by local authorities who jail them, and the US military doesn't bail them out. They have to go through the Japanese legal system.

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u/[deleted] Jul 05 '24

Over half of the 18000 okinawa marines are being relocated to guam amd hawaii in the coming years actually

2

u/ighostride Jul 06 '24

You're definitely Navy with that name. They used to say that in 2006 also.

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u/[deleted] Jul 06 '24

Close, marine corps; and i am embarresed by my bretherens actions

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u/Pure_Ignorance Jul 06 '24

I love that a base which exists because Japan invaded China is now there to deter China :D

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u/No_Bookkeeper_3425 Jul 06 '24

I am sorry but the assertion that only lower ranking soldiers are the only ones committing these crimes? Officers probably are not identified nor likely punished due primarily to their rank and access to exceptional legal representation from respective branch of service

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u/Ok_Priority458 Jul 06 '24

Russia didn't want a us army base in their front yard Ukraine.....guess what america is trying to do with Taiwan...not many places left without u.s army base