Japan Press Weekly

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2016 June 1 - 7 [US FORCES]

Gov’t decides on ineffective measures to prevent crimes committed by US servicemen

The Abe government on June 3 announced steps to counter crimes committed by U.S. servicemen in the wake of the latest killing of an Okinawan woman by an ex-U.S. marine. However, it turned its back on people’s call for the withdrawal of U.S. bases from Okinawa and other prefectures and for a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement.

The government focus in its measures is to enhance deterrence of U.S. crimes by improving street lighting, installing more security cameras, and strengthening street patrols. For example, regarding measures to improve the patrol of streets in Okinawa, the government explained that the Cabinet Office’s local bureau will hire temporary workers in order to assign them to patrol operations using 100 cars.

The government will set up a council headed by Minister for Okinawa Shimajiri Aiko and discuss details of the measures with relevant municipalities.

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Akamine Seiken criticized the government for totally ignoring the essence of base problems in Okinawa. Noting that the ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties in the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly election campaign boasted about the government’s initiative against U.S. crimes, Akamine said, “The LDP and Komei approve the U.S. military presence in Okinawa and think that local residents should endure their sufferings for the sake of the Japan-U.S. alliance.”

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On this day, the liaison council of leaders of 14 prefectures hosting U.S. military facilities made petition to the Foreign and Defense ministries and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo in regard to the latest rape and murder of a Japanese woman by an ex-U.S. marine.

After the petition at a press conference, Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa Yuji, who heads the council, criticized the government preventive measures, and said, “The unequal SOFA underlies the continuation of U.S. soldiers’ crimes. This is a common understanding among the 14 governors.” He stressed the need for a SOFA revision.

Okinawa Vice Governor Ageta Mitsuo said, “It is impossible to eliminate U.S. crimes without revising the SOFA which allows U.S. military personnel to think that they can do anything under the SOFA.”

Past related articles:
> Okinawa Prefectural Assembly demands USMC withdrawal for the first time [May 27, 2016]
> JCP Akamine criticizes gov’t for taking no measures to prevent crimes by US servicemen [May 25, 2016]
> Serious crimes by US personnel occur more than once a month in Okinawa [May 26, 2016]