June 28, 2013
The Supreme Court on June 26 turned down an appeal filed by a plaintiff who was seeking state compensation for the killing of his wife by a U.S. sailor in Yokosuka City.
With this, the Tokyo High Court’s 2012 decision not to hold the U.S. forces or the Japanese government responsible for the heinous crime was finalized.
Plaintiff Yamazaki Masanori, 65, said after the Supreme Court’s rejection of his appeal, “It makes my blood boil.”
Yamazaki’s wife Sato Yoshie, on her way to work on the early morning of January 2006, was beaten to death by a crewmember of the U.S. aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The sailor was found to have been drinking all night the previous night.
Lawyer Nakamura Shinsuke criticized the decision as “unjust,” stressing that it prioritizes the U.S. forces’ operations over Japanese citizens’ lives and safety.
Yamazaki said that he will work to let more people know about this unjust court decision, and added, “I am determined to keep fighting to help eradicate crimes committed by U.S. troops.”
Past related articles:
> Court fails to hold gov’t accountable for murder by US sailor (June 23 and 24, 2012)
> Court fails to recognize state responsibility over murder by U.S. serviceman (May 21, 2009)
With this, the Tokyo High Court’s 2012 decision not to hold the U.S. forces or the Japanese government responsible for the heinous crime was finalized.
Plaintiff Yamazaki Masanori, 65, said after the Supreme Court’s rejection of his appeal, “It makes my blood boil.”
Yamazaki’s wife Sato Yoshie, on her way to work on the early morning of January 2006, was beaten to death by a crewmember of the U.S. aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The sailor was found to have been drinking all night the previous night.
Lawyer Nakamura Shinsuke criticized the decision as “unjust,” stressing that it prioritizes the U.S. forces’ operations over Japanese citizens’ lives and safety.
Yamazaki said that he will work to let more people know about this unjust court decision, and added, “I am determined to keep fighting to help eradicate crimes committed by U.S. troops.”
Past related articles:
> Court fails to hold gov’t accountable for murder by US sailor (June 23 and 24, 2012)
> Court fails to recognize state responsibility over murder by U.S. serviceman (May 21, 2009)
