April 5, 2023

A U.S. marine who is assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Staion (Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Pref.) was arrested on the spot on April 2 on suspicion of stealing a car in Iwakuni City.

The Japanese Communist Party Iwakuni City Assemblymembers' group on the following day made a representation to the city government, lodging a protest over repeated crimes committed by U.S. soldiers and calling for revisions to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

According to the police, an alcohol level exceeding the legal limit was detected on the 29-year-old corporal's breath.

The JCP group pointed out that a lack of compliance with Japanese domestic legislation causes never-ending crimes involving U.S. miliary personnel. The group demanded that the city government make a protest in writing to the Iwakuni base commander and request that a curfew be imposed on U.S. soldiers until they fully understand the importance of legal compliance.

In Iwakuni City, in December last year, a 20-year-old marine fled to the base after causing an accident resulting in bodily injury while driving a stolen car under the influence of alcohol. In February this year, a civilian employee attached to the base was arrested for drunk-driving.