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Okinawans angry with U.S. airman molesting an Okinawan girl

The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly on July 6 unanimously adopted a resolution protesting against a recent molestation incident by a U.S. Air Force sergeant of an Okinawan elementary school girl.

The resolution demands that U.S. forces apologize for the incident and compensate the victim and her family. Referring to repeated crimes and accidents in which U.S. personnel were involved, it calls for more effective preventive measures such as stricter discipline and human rights education to U.S. servicemen.

The resolution was submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Japan, the Command of the U.S. Forces in Japan, the Okinawa area coordinator of the U.S. Forces in Japan, the U.S. consulate general in Okinawa, and the 18th Airborne Corps commander.

On the same day, Okinawan women and mothers made representations to the Defense Agency's Naha Regional Defense Facilities Administration Bureau, expressing protest against the incident and calling for all U.S. military bases to be removed.

Maeda Fumiko of the New Japan Women's Association, Okinawa head office, said, "The removal of U.S. bases from Okinawa is the only way to end U.S. crimes in the prefecture."

The All Japan Teachers and Staff Union (Zenkyo) also sent a letter of protest to U.S. President George W. Bush through the U.S. Embassy in Japan. - Akahata, July 7, 2005