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NBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Japanese court convicts a U.S. Marine in sexual assault, sentencing him to 7 years in prison
TOKYO — A Japanese court said Wednesday it had found a U.S. Marine guilty of sexually assaulting a woman on Okinawa, sentencing him to prison terms, in a case that has triggered anger and safety concerns on Japan's southern island, which has a heavy American troop presence. The Naha District Court said Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, 22, of Ohio, was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in prison in the case. Clayton was found guilty of attacking the woman in her 20s in the village of Yomitan on the main Okinawa island in May 2024, chocking her from behind, sexually assaulting her and causing her injuries. In sentencing, Judge Kazuhiko Obata said the victim's testimony, provided remotely and anonymously, was highly credible even though the defendant denied the charges brought by the prosecutors, who demanded 10 years in prison, according to Kyodo News. It was one of a string of sexual assault cases last year in which the arrests of the suspects were initially withheld by local authorities on grounds of protecting the victims' privacy, triggering anger and accusations of cover-ups. Okinawa, where one of the fiercest battles of World War II was fought 80 years ago and which was under U.S. occupation until 1972, remains home to the majority of about 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan under a bilateral security pact. The island, which accounts for only 0.6% of Japanese land, hosts 70% of U.S. military facilities. Frustration runs high on Okinawa because of its continued burden with the heavy U.S. presence that includes noise, pollution, aircraft accidents and crime related to American troops. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, who attended Monday's 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa, raised concerns about recent sexual assault cases involving U.S. service members when he met with Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, the commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force, requesting discipline and preventive measures. There have been growing calls for a revision to the Status of Forces Agreement that gives the United States the right to investigate most accidents and crimes that occur on Japanese soil. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet on Tuesday adopted a statement showing that Japanese prosecutors had dropped criminal cases against more than 300 U.S. service members in the decade from 2014 to 2024, including a sexual assault case in Okinawa in 2020.
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Japanese court convicts a US Marine in sexual assault, sentencing him to 7 years in prison
In sentencing, Judge Kazuhiko Obata said the victim's testimony, provided remotely and anonymously, was highly credible even though the defendant denied his charges brought by the prosecutors, who demanded 10 years in prison, according to Kyodo News. Advertisement It was one of a string of sexual assault cases last year in which the arrests of the suspects were initially withheld by local authorities on grounds of protecting the victims' privacy, triggering anger and criticisms of coverups. Okinawa, where one of the fiercest battles of World War II was fought 80 years ago and under U.S. occupation until 1972, remains home to the majority of about 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan under a bilateral security pact. The island, which accounts for only 0.6% of Japanese land, hosts 70% of U.S. military facilities. Frustration runs high on Okinawa because of its continued burden with the heavy U.S. presence that includes noise, pollution, aircraft accidents and crime related to American troops. Advertisement There has been growing calls for a revision to the Status of Forces Agreement that gives the United States the right to investigate most accidents and crimes that occur on Japanese soil. Japanese Prime Minister
Shafaq News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi PM presses US to honor security pact amid regional tensions
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has sent a formal reminder to the United States urging adherence to the bilateral security agreement between Baghdad and Washington, a senior source revealed on Tuesday. The source told Shafaq News that al-Sudani delivered a message to the US State Department through Iraq's Foreign Ministry, reaffirming Iraq's expectation that the security pact be "honored," particularly in light of escalating regional tensions. 'Participants in the latest meeting of the Iran-aligned Coordination Framework, which included al-Sudani, reached a unanimous consensus that the United States must uphold the terms of the agreement.' Notably, the security partnership between Iraq and the United States is grounded in key agreements, particularly the 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) and the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which govern military collaboration and troop presence.
Japan Today
17-05-2025
- Japan Today
U.S. Navy officer indicted for wife's murder; Fukuoka police not informed
The U.S. Navy said Friday that one of its officers has been indicted on murder and other charges in connection with the death of his American wife, whose body was found at a hotel in Fukuoka in October. The indictment was filed on May 7, but Fukuoka police have yet to receive official notification from U.S. authorities, according to a Japanese investigative source. The case underscores how the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement limits Japan's jurisdiction over crimes involving U.S. military personnel. Under the pact, the United States has primary jurisdiction over offenses involving its service members, civilian employees and their dependents. While unofficial notices are sometimes given to Japanese authorities, the details of such communication remain unclear. © KYODO
Kyodo News
16-05-2025
- Kyodo News
U.S. Navy officer indicted for wife's murder, no notice to Japan
KYODO NEWS - 20 minutes ago - 22:40 | Japan, All The U.S. Navy said one of its officers has been indicted on murder and other charges in connection with the death of his American wife, whose body was found at a hotel in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, in October. The indictment was filed on May 7, but Fukuoka police have yet to receive official notification from U.S. authorities, according to a Japanese investigative source. The case underscores how the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement limits Japan's jurisdiction over crimes involving U.S. military personnel. Under the pact, the United States has primary jurisdiction over offenses involving its service members, civilian employees and their dependents. While unofficial notices are sometimes given to Japanese authorities, the details of such communication remain unclear. Related coverage: U.S. military, Okinawa hold 1st safety forum after sex assault cases U.S. Marine in Okinawa indicted over rape, injury
