Rape Claim Sparks U.S. Crackdown In Japan

Military Imposes Tight Restrictions On Personnel After Marine Accused Of Raping Girl, 14

(AP)  The U.S. military imposed tight restrictions on all personnel in Okinawa on Wednesday, limiting troops to bases, places or work or off-base housing amid a furor over the arrest of a Marine on suspicion of rape.

The restriction, which tightens a midnight curfew for enlisted on the southern Japanese island, started early Wednesday and was indefinite, the U.S. Forces Japan said in a statement.

The arrest last week of 38-year-old Staff Sgt. Tyrone Luther Hadnott in the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl in Okinawa has sparked outrage in Japan, which hosts some 50,000 U.S. troops under a security treaty.

Hadnott admitted to investigators that he forced the girl down and kissed her, but said he did not rape her, police said.

The tensions have been compounded in recent days by allegations of additional less serious crimes by American troops. Japanese leaders have deplored the behavior and accused the U.S. military of lax discipline.

The Japanese government lauded the move.

"The government welcomes the decision by the U.S. military to take strict measures," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Japan plans to have close consulations with the U.S. for appropriate prevention measures for a mid- and long-term to be taken by the U.S. side."

The new restrictions bans military personnel from leaving their bases except for official business, work, worship or travel to and from off-base housing.

"This period of reflection will allow commanders and all service members an opportunity to further review procedures and orders that govern the discipline and conduct of all U.S. service members serving in Okinawa," the military statement read.

On Tuesday, the U.S. military, which launched a review of anti-sexual assault guidelines following Hadnott's arrest, said it had designated Friday as a "day of reflection" to urge troops to adhere to ideals of professionalism.

"USFJ has generated recommendations and reached a mutual agreement that all USFJ components will take additional actions to further reinforce and encourage the already high standards of professionalism among US Forces serving in Japan," the military said in a separate statement on Tuesday.

Okinawa is considered a linchpin in U.S. military posture in Asia, and Washington is eager to quell rising sentime(AP) - nt against American troops. U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer traveled to Okinawa last week to express his sadness over the alleged rape.

The Hadnott case has prompted comparisons with the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl by three U.S. servicemen. The attack triggered massive protests against the American military, and the three were convicted and sentenced to prison.

[keithle1]

Young male soldiers need access to IT. There are few if any American girls for them to socialize with. Therefore, have Japanese "ladies of the evening" right outside the base. Then control it. Condoms.
Bi-monthly health checks. Otherwise, you''re asking for trouble.

What do you think young men are thinking about 24-7? Doing a good job for Dubya?

[squidusn]

From my experience (Navy) they transfered people that wanted to stay in Japan and respected the culture out because they spent too much time in Japan and brought in people that didn''t even what to be in Japan in the first place.

I know that Military Prisoners in Japan (Kurihama) are treated fairly, they have base officials check on them an a regular basis. The long running rumor always was they make them eat fish heads and rice which is far from the truth. They get a balanced diet, not fast food!

[runningralph]

TheGateway1,
Thanx for the insight. I hope your buddy learned his lesson. Your anecdote points out the strictly business attitude of Japanese authorities. The low calorie diet is something I would like to see in US prisons along with some sort of productive work from the convicts. US convicts spend too much time bulking up and developing their own poisonous culture. Antway, thanx for the info.

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by luvneverend1

Take your "stunning mature" BS spam to the porn sites, you are not welcome here. Reported, yet again, along with your pervert friends.

[brianbwb-2009]

It has been long known that the Japanese want us out of Okinawa, the property is worth more than the US pays, and repeated friction with the local inhabitants, along with the fact that we are spending a lot of money to maintain an undesired presence as a remnant of the already proven false "domino theory" thinking.

Close the base, pack them up, bring them home, and save the money, there is no need for the base to continue, it is not worth the cost.

[magoo2u1]

Soldiers are not any different from the rest of society, there are good and bad apples in the barrel. If this guy is guilty he should be punished. If he commited the crime off-base he should be tried by the local authorities after it''s determined the charge is real and not fabricated to "get" a US soldier. After conviction he should be moved on an express jet to Kansas. 20 years in Leavenwoth will break him of the habit of abusing little girls.

[runningralph]

If they have good evidence on the Marine, he should be turned over to Japan for trial. It wasn''t done that way in the old days but it''s time for the US to show that Japan is a good and equal partner. If a Japanese committed a crime in the US he would be tried is a US court.

[joyous88]

Idiot Politicians, care only for money, vote democrat for a change!

[joyous88]

I am a retired Infantry Officer, this *** has been

going on for as long as I can remember,

why in the hell are we still occupying Japan.

Time to end this war as well

[denn034]

Downright disgusting. Unfortunately, this reflects badly on the entire Marines. Lock that Marine up until he forgets his name!

[beehive21-2009]

Fourteen ? are you stupid,how would you feel if that was your daughter ? string em up.