US pledges action after suspected rape in Japan
20 Oct 2012 7:03 AM IST
The US military promised to take steps ‘to ensure responsible behavior’ for troops stationed in Japan after the suspected rape of a local woman by two servicemen sparked renewed anger over the presence of American forces.
The Pentagon said it was ‘working closely’ with the Japanese government in the investigation into the alleged rape of a Japanese woman on Tuesday on the southern island of Okinawa, where more than 20,000 US troops are stationed. ‘We are also examining and will soon announce a package of measures to ensure responsible behavior and to demonstrate our commitment to maintaining positive relationships with the local communities that host our forces,’ spokesman George Little said in a statement yesterday.
‘We deeply regret any grief and trauma the victim may have endured,’ he added.The Pentagon did not specify what steps would be unveiled after an incident that threatens to serve as a catalyst to anti-American sentiment on the island, where local leaders have long pushed for scaling back the US military’s profile.
Around half of the 47,000 US military forces in Japan are based in Okinawa.
Previous criminal incidents have sparked large-scale demonstrations, with protesters demanding a trimming of the US footprint.
The Pentagon said it was ‘working closely’ with the Japanese government in the investigation into the alleged rape of a Japanese woman on Tuesday on the southern island of Okinawa, where more than 20,000 US troops are stationed. ‘We are also examining and will soon announce a package of measures to ensure responsible behavior and to demonstrate our commitment to maintaining positive relationships with the local communities that host our forces,’ spokesman George Little said in a statement yesterday.
‘We deeply regret any grief and trauma the victim may have endured,’ he added.The Pentagon did not specify what steps would be unveiled after an incident that threatens to serve as a catalyst to anti-American sentiment on the island, where local leaders have long pushed for scaling back the US military’s profile.
Around half of the 47,000 US military forces in Japan are based in Okinawa.
Previous criminal incidents have sparked large-scale demonstrations, with protesters demanding a trimming of the US footprint.
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