Japan Press Weekly

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2008 February 20 - 26 [US FORCES]

U.S. soldier allegedly raped Filipino woman in Okinawa

It was learned on February 21 that a U.S. Army serviceman allegedly assaulted a Filipino woman at a hotel on February 18 in Okinawa City.

The soldier was taken into custody by the U.S. forces. The Okinawa Prefectural Police is investigating the case.

A spokesman of the U.S. Army in Okinawa said that the U.S. forces take the case seriously and have begun investigation, adding that they will fully cooperate with the prefectural police.

Amid Okinawans’ strong call for the removal of U.S. bases prompted by a rape of a 14-year-old local girl by a U.S. Marine on February 11, crimes committed by U.S. servicemen continue to occur in Okinawa, including drunk driving and trespassing.