Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2015 February 25 - March 3 [US FORCES]

Okinawa prefectural assembly calls for measures against frequent incidents and crimes involving US forces

The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly on February 25 unanimously adopted a statement urging the Japanese and U.S. governments to take measures against U.S. military aircraft accidents and to tighten military discipline.

The prefectural assembly also determined to protest against the frequent drop incidents involving U.S. military airplanes and crimes committed by drunken military personnel.

Between January 2014 and January 2015, accidental drop incidents by U.S. military airplanes occurred more than 10 times. Last month, a military helicopter stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma base dropped an item weighing 200 kg into the sea near Okinawa during its flight training exercise.

Furthermore, since the U.S. military relaxed its restrictions on off-base drinking in December last year, drunken U.S. servicemen have caused many crimes and accidents.

Denouncing this situation as intolerable, the statement states that the assembly “cannot help questioning U.S. forces’ explanation about their measures to prevent incidents and crimes, secure safety in military training exercises, and discipline military personnel.

The statement also demands an apology and compensation to victims of crimes and accidents committed by drunken U.S. servicemen.


Past related articles:
> Ospreys conduct flight training at World Heritage site of Mt. Fuji [August 21 & 22, 2014]
> Citizens protest against Osprey’s first drill in eastern Japan [August 20, 2014]