2 U.S. sailors arrested for rape in Okinawa, Japan

Two U.S. Navy Sailors have been charged with the assault and rape of a Japanese woman in Okinawa, Japan. The two men attacked the woman on roadside as she was walking home and led to injuries on her neck. The act happened two weeks after the arrival of  new Marine Corp aircraft on the American base in Okinawa. The base holds about 50,000 American military men, adding to the overcrowding of the Japanese city. The base is unwanted by Japanese citizens and they are increasingly getting more enraged. The crime the two sailors committed has caused even more anger and now there is worry that there will be protest. Three years ago Japanese Prime Minister promised the removal of the base, and when it didn’t go through people would fly kites near the base in protest. The media has heavily covered the base and crimes that are committed by American military personnel. This isn’t the first time rape happened by American soldiers in Okinawa. In 1995 three American soldiers raped a 12 year old school girl, and this also led to mass protest. The American Ambassador to Japan is extremely concerned he states “These allegations, given their seriousness, will continue to command my full personal attention,” when talking to the press.

I feel awful that our military is taking advantage of civilians overseas. I think rape is an awful thing, but at the same time it seems as if the Japanese public is blowing things out of proportion to remove the base. I agree with Roosevelt’s “speak softly and carry a big stick” theory. We should keep the base there, but show remorse for the actions of our military member. We need to be relevant in world affairs, but respected at the same time

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/17/world/asia/2-us-navy-sailors-arrested-in-okinawa-rape.html