Japan Press Weekly

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2012 October 17 - 23 [US FORCES]

US Congress warned of possible increase in soldiers’ crimes in Okinawa

The number of crimes committed by U.S. military personnel could increase in Okinawa, according to a warning given by the United States Congress.

In August, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) published a report for the Congress, titled, “The U.S. Military Presence in Okinawa and the Futenma Base Controversy.” It said, “A new equipment accident or crime committed by a U.S. soldier could galvanize further Okinawan opposition to the U.S. military presence on the island.”

“The risks are heightened by the anticipated increase in activity as units that have been deployed to conflicts in the Middle East return to Okinawa,” the report added.

The present strength of the U.S. forces in Okinawa is said to be the greatest since the outbreak of the War on Terrorism in 2001 as troops came back to Okinawa from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Amid mounting anger among local people against the forcible deployment of the U.S. Marines’ aircraft Osprey to Okinawa, two U.S. sailors were arrested on October 16 on suspicion of raping a woman.