November 10, 2020
Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny on November 8 released a comment expressing his fury at the frequent occurrence of crimes committed by U.S. military personnel in the past two weeks. He criticized the U.S. forces in Okinawa for failing to enforce military discipline properly.
Governor Tamaki explained that Okinawa witnessed various types of criminal offenses committed by U.S. soldiers between late October and early November, such as drunken driving (5), assault (3), vandalism (2), and driving without a license (1). The governor said, “The frequent occurrence of so many U.S. military-related crimes makes Okinawans to feel anxiety.”
He also referred to another case in which a U.S. Marine was arrested earlier in the day in Uruma City on suspicion for robbing a taxi driver. The suspect, under the influence of alcohol, stole the taxi and cash after trying to choke the driver. He then drove away in the stolen taxi and caused an accident on the Okinawa expressway.
Condemning the crime as brutal, the governor expressed his intent to push the U.S. military and the Japanese and U.S. governments to take necessary measures including thorough military discipline and education to prevent a recurrence.
Tamaki also demanded that the government-led Cooperative Working Team hold a meeting between U.S. military officers and officials of relevant authorities in the two nations to discuss ways to prevent crimes and accidents by U.S. soldiers, civilian employees, and their family members in Okinawa.
Governor Tamaki explained that Okinawa witnessed various types of criminal offenses committed by U.S. soldiers between late October and early November, such as drunken driving (5), assault (3), vandalism (2), and driving without a license (1). The governor said, “The frequent occurrence of so many U.S. military-related crimes makes Okinawans to feel anxiety.”
He also referred to another case in which a U.S. Marine was arrested earlier in the day in Uruma City on suspicion for robbing a taxi driver. The suspect, under the influence of alcohol, stole the taxi and cash after trying to choke the driver. He then drove away in the stolen taxi and caused an accident on the Okinawa expressway.
Condemning the crime as brutal, the governor expressed his intent to push the U.S. military and the Japanese and U.S. governments to take necessary measures including thorough military discipline and education to prevent a recurrence.
Tamaki also demanded that the government-led Cooperative Working Team hold a meeting between U.S. military officers and officials of relevant authorities in the two nations to discuss ways to prevent crimes and accidents by U.S. soldiers, civilian employees, and their family members in Okinawa.
