Japan Press Weekly

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2011 March 2 - 8 [US FORCES]

Kanagawa witnesses frequent crimes by US servicemen

In January alone, at least 9 crimes and accidents were caused by U.S. servicemen in Kanagawa Prefecture which hosts the second largest number of U.S. bases in Japan following Okinawa.

This was revealed by the Defense Ministry’s written response to an inquiry submitted by Tamura Tomoko, a Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors.

Due to the regular maintenance of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington from January to May, about 6,000 sailors are now in residence at the U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa’s Yokosuka City.

According to the Defense Ministry, two traffic accidents were caused by U.S. military personnel on January 8 and January 25 in Yamato City. In Fujisawa City on January 26, a serviceman stationed at the Atsugi base caused an accident while driving a car under the influence of alcohol, which led to the death of a local resident two days later. Other crimes include a case of robbery (Jan. 30, Yokosuka) and damage to property (Jan. 28, Yokohama).

JCP Dietmember Tamura along with Kanagawa’s JCP representatives made representations to the Foreign and Defense ministries late last month, calling for thorough investigations into the accidents and crimes as well as compensation for the victims.