Crimes by U.S. soldiers increasing

The Okinawa Office of the Foreign Ministry has reported that crimes involving U.S. forces in Okinawa, including their family members and civilian personnel, are continuing to increase.

The number of U.S. military personnel and their dependents who were arrested last year was 72 in 70 cases. The number surpassed the figure in 1995 when 62 were arrested in 70 cases. 1995 was the year when the whole of Japan was angry about a gang rape by U.S. Marines against a Japanese girl.

The Japanese Government, the Okinawa Prefectural Government, and the U.S. Forces in Okinawa have discussed (in a working-team) how to prevent crimes of U.S. servicemen. But the reported figures show that the preventive measures have actually been ineffective. (end)