usf4

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

7,000 U.S. military personnel arrested in Japan since 1973

The number of crimes committed by U.S. personnel in Japan from 1973 to 2004 reached 6,933. Of these, 683 or about 10 percent were serious crimes such as murder, robbery, arson, and sexual molestation or rape.

During the 5-year period 2000-2004, 461 cases were recorded of U.S. personnel-committing crimes, including 31 felonies. Robbery came on top of these vicious offenses at 14, followed by 12 sexual assaults. There also were three arsons and two murder cases.

Cases included a U.S. soldier inflicting sexual violence and bodily injury on a woman in Sasebo City in Nagasaki Prefecture (January 2004); two U.S. servicemen arrested on the spot for the attempted murder of two Japanese men in Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture (June 2004); and a U.S. soldier abusing a Japanese woman at U.S. Camp Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture (September 2004).

Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)

Article 17 of the SOFA stipulates that if "off duty" U.S. personnel, after committing a crime outside U.S. compounds, flee onto U.S. bases, the U.S. authorities have the right to detain the suspect until Japanese authorities prosecute.

The 1995 rape of an Okinawan schoolgirl by three U.S. servicemen caused a storm of public criticism against such privilege. In the wake of this, both governments agreed on an "improved administration" of the SOFA.

However, it covers only "murder, rape, and other heinous crimes." In response to Japan's request to hand over U.S. suspects before indictment, the United States is required to just "give favorable consideration." In short, the decision is left to the U.S. government.
-- Akahata, January 6, 2005