U.S. military to impose curfew in Japan after alleged rape

If it isn't the dangerous and annoying aircraft flying over Okinawa it is the men who are suppose to protect this country trying to have their way with innocent women and children. It is a good thing only a minority of troops are doing this and that is too many.

Once again punish everyone for the actions of a couple of morons.

Stable doors and horses..... Seems the quality of US forces recruits, selection criteria etc. needs looking at. Sad however, that all of them are inevitably tarred with the same brush.

The trial is finished and guilty? Paid by right wing?

Wow! I might start going to Roppongi again now that it won't be full of over-zealous US jar heads every night.

Wonder if the military will ever figure out that stricter curfews and whatnot are not a deterrent whatsoever.?

I want to personally apologize for the grief and trauma the victim has endured

DId I miss the part where the results of the investigation are out already?

No, but you missed the part where NOBODY who is actually assigned, or lives, in Okinawa took part in this. Some transient members who were here temporarily screwed up. And, of course, now the people who actually live here are the one's being punished.

Clubs in Okinawa are going to suffer from this. pfft.

agree with Loki. Some people were temporarily stopping in Okinawa and now all of the people that actually live there have to suffer? that doesn't seem quite fair....not every single person in the military are bad.

Matthew SimonOct. 19, 2012 - 06:18PM JST

Once again punish everyone for the actions of a couple of morons.

More like once again everyone is punished because of propaganda and a few extremist views that take hold over something that is blown out of proportions.

Tokyo's using far too much influence on what are local issues simply because nobody is willing to stop Noda's political ambitions.

Isn't curfew for everyone going a bit overboard? it seems almost as of the people of Okinawa didn't like the US military in the first place.

Isn't curfew for everyone going a bit overboard?

I think it is a bit too much, and they left no end date. What will happen, the real movement behind the power in places like Okinawa will speak out if this goes on too long, i.e. the people who make the money off the military being out at night like resturants and bars, and taxis. They make a lot of revenue servicing military personnel. Though it is not like it was 10 to 20 years ago, it still is a nice source of income and tax revenue. When they start to feel the pinch, they will go to the people in the local government and ask for the restrictions to be lifted.

It was a stupid thing for those guys to do, and I would like to see where the trial is and what is fhe final verdict.

Good! No idiots in Roppongi, and lots of loot to be picked up.

Whoa! Stuttering windows!

Clubs in Okinawa are going to suffer from this. pfft.

Not necessarily, many non-military don't go to bars/clubs or leave them early because of military people being there. Their customers might change, but that doesn't mean they'll suffer.

The sad truth is the American military culture of going out drinking to the early morning getting blind drunk. The US military is in Japan to defend and not party. So many of the young troops get into trouble after a night of heavy drinking. A compromise would be to allow them to party on base but not allowed to leave base if drunk. This is more than the rapes and groups of drunk young people off base is a big reason for wanting the bases to close.

The sad truth is the vast majority of the Americans are decent people but for the common good have to accept restrictions. The US military could impose General order #1, no drinking.

Anyone who thinks the loss in business resulting from this curfew is going to hurt anyone needs to get out more.

Sure, a couple of bars and clubs may have a rough time.

And some may even go belly up.

They won't be missed.

Christopher Browning & Skyler Dozierwalker know not to rape in America. But why they came to Japan to rape a girl walking in the street.

They came all the way to Japan to rape. WHY ?

Dozierwalker has been arrested in Texas for " Disorderly Conduct " ( alcohol abuse )

Shouldn't he receive treatment for alcohol abuse for 5 - 6 years ?

The US military could impose General order #1, no drinking.

...and suicide rate in military will gradually increase more.

The first priority of the commander of U.S. forces in Japan is taking measures to prevent a recurrence of this kind of incident: [sexual] assault. The curfew is designed to do just that and that the majority of American servicemen will suffer under this curfew is too bad, but that's the way it works.

Yeah, the okinowans are protesting the US military presence now, but wait until the Chinese come knocking on their door over this island debacle. I'm sure their attitudes will change pretty quickly

I am usually not a fan nor supporting army people. But a lot of nice young guys will have to support privation from 2 morons.

The key question is: are the US soldiers in Okinawa behaving bad all over the year and this case could have been prevented by due diligence or is it really an isolated case?

I might be wrong (and hopefully I am), but the extreme response from the commandment let me believe we are in the first option. Otherwise the curfew should have been established earlier to keep control.

Strangely, this incident changed my view of American military in Japan. I am impressed by how US is dealing with this issue. They've never made any excuse and just apologize. There is something Japan really should learn from them. I'm Japanese and my Japanese husband agree with me.

YuriOtaniOct. 19, 2012 - 08:51PM JST

The sad truth is the American military culture of going out drinking to the early morning getting blind drunk.

This is beyond insulting, as well as incredibly hypocritical. I've seen some military drunks in the US, but it's quite rare, even less rare to see last all night, especially with most cities having a 2-4am closing rule (some even earlier except designated areas, 1am or earlier). I've seen plenty of (Japanese) drunks in Japan anywhere between 6pm and 6am, and if you want blind drunks look no further than half of Tokyo.

The US military is in Japan to defend and not party.

No, they are not there to defend Japan. They are there to provide a stable base in the Pacific closer to potential action than Hawaii. While they are charged with a duty to defend Japan in an attack, that is not their primary duty. Their job ends when their shift ends on a normal day, and they should be allowed to be human beings, not some mindless robot pawns for whatever political games are popular.

So many of the young troops get into trouble after a night of heavy drinking.

Each year there are about a dozen and a half serious cases brought forth against SOFA members in Japan, and averaging out multiple cases per person and multiple people per case gives you about a dozen and a half individuals. That is neither "many" nor "above average".

A compromise would be to allow them to party on base but not allowed to leave base if drunk.

That is one of the most disgusting comments around. That is not a compromise at all. If you want to say a compromise, say that bars won't accept Japanese customers before midnight and no military personnel after midnight. It cuts down on issues while allowing both personnel and locals to enjoy establishments in the area. TALK with the commanders to impose a 1230/1am curfew and offer bus services directly back to base free of charge (to be paid for by the bars, which would just tack it onto the price for drinks). Those establishments will likely end up getting a hit to the number of customers, but they will likely still have enough to stay in business rather than closing down by no fault of the bar owners.

Tokyo's using far too much influence on what are local issues simply because nobody is willing to stop Noda's political ambitions.

What? What does that have to do with the US imposing a curfew on its military personnel in Japan?

Anyway, better late than never.

To hear the Okinawans tell it, this curfew will result in Okinawa's crime rate dropping to 0% during curfew hours! (Well, at least the crimes the Okinawans want to PROTEST about, that is.)

Umeco, only if you were Okinawan, you would probably think otherwise

Yuri-

The sad truth is the American military culture of going out drinking to the early morning getting blind drunk.

seems like Japanese culture to me... LOL

Gurukun, I'm sorry if I hurt your feeling, but this time the US military in Japan is not to be blamed.

They should also impose a sentence of rape by an 80 pound gorilla and a minimum of 10 years in jail for rape.

"Good. No idiots in Roppongi"

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha, oh, they're be plenty of idiots in Roppongi without any U.S. military personnel present and accounted for, sir!

I have to laugh at all the people living in Japan who diss the U.S. military, as they are oblivious to the fact that they are here and profiting from being here precisely because the U.S. military has kept Japan out of trouble since 1945.

Umeco, then who is to be blamed.

What I was referring to, if you were Okinawan, you would understand that the apologies are the same time and time again.

They should also impose a sentence of rape by an 80 pound gorilla and a minimum of 10 years in jail for rape.

Umm... wouldn't that mean they would have to charge themselves with rape once they forced such a small gorilla to rape the convict? And their sentence would be... to be raped by the small gorilla... which would get them charged again? (repeat ad nauseum)

Fadamor, I use to live off of gate 2 street in Koza. During a "normal" weekend the place is overrun with drunk American service people. While things are much better than under the American occupation incidents happen every weekend. About my statement being "insulting", my guy a disabled Iraq war vet says it is true.

Whatever about the American mission, be it to defend Japan or keep the Pacific stable the principle remains the same. The American forces are here as GUESTS of Japan. They are not here to be causing trouble like back home. My guy would favor banning drinking. If the troops do not like it well you volunteered and are in the service of your country. If they do not like it they can get out when their obligation is done. He says a big draw down of US Forces is in the future and they will not be missed.

One military crime is too many and while this will not eliminate American crime it will help. Again and my guy agrees what legal residents do is not the Americans concern. This is OUR country and SOFA Americans are only guests. Limiting what they can do is not a factor. It would be like the SDF personnel doing this misdeeds in America. Then saying well the Americans need to be limited as well. Oh yes "lost the war" so that makes America making rules for Japanese in Japan alright? It is not alright!

My guy and me agree the SOFA Americans in Japan are on a mission. Note I write SOFA Americans and not residents. So none of this applies to residents of Japan. Legal residents of Japan should be treated like Japanese with the exception of not being able to vote.

Whoops! I meant to say "They should also impose a sentence of rape by an 800 ( not 80! ) pound gorilla and a minimum of 10 years in jail for rape."

I read almost all of the comments here and biy, they are just amazing. Just like the Japanese government, the comments don't address the issue here. The issue here is that a woman was raped. Does it matter by who? What about the victim? I guess it would be alright and brushed under the rug if a Japanese raped a girl. That never gets headline national news. I've been here for over 20 years and this propaganda is disgusting. Not one mention of how it is wrong to rape. It is just wrong for Americans to rape. IT IS WRONG FOR ANYONE TO RAPE A WOMAN!!!

"come up with measures to eradicate the problem so that crimes like this are never repeated again" Hey defense minister, what are you doing for the rapes that happen from Japanese men? Don't the need to be eradicated?

Bottom line is that crime will always happen no matter what you do. It is a very small percentage of ANY country's population. Stop making these victims a political issue!!! It makes me sick to my stomach. Furthermore, let the military prosecute these offenders so they can get some real time in jail and not a slap on the wrist from the all might Japanese court system.

Though I think the US military presence in Japan should be reduced, imposing "Cinderella Liberty" on all the military members in Okinawa (in all Japan?) is ridiculous. The two guys are gonna go through the ringer. If indeed they are both guilty, then they should be duly punished, in Japan.

@herve and after all that is over they will have a dishonorable discharge to look forward to, their lives are effectively screwed, and rightly so.

Well, at least the US is taking this seriously, though, as I have indicated on other threads, this action is an admission that they did not do enough beforehand.

Okinawa should not be a "destination" posting. Perhaps these curfews will make people less willing to want to come. Okinawa doesn't need a bunch of American troops stationed here who are eager to spread their values and enjoy resort-like atmosphere and charms of the "Orient." If they have to be here, they should come to do their duty and leave the locals alone.

Angelella said American military personnel are “held to a higher standard.”

In words if not in deeds...apparently. We will see if that changes after this latest incident.

It's more likely they will get a BCD, "Bad Conduct Discharge" and yes their live's are screwed up from now on...

My guy would favor banning drinking. If the troops do not like it well you volunteered and are in the service of your country. If they do not like it they can get out when their obligation is done. He says a big draw down of US Forces is in the future and they will not be missed.

America's legacy on Okinawa will undoubtedly be that they won the Battle of Okinawa and then lost the War of Okinawa because their arrogance and hubris turned an island of potential friends into enemies.

why the hell would they become stricter on the resident's curfew when the people who commited the crime were not residents?

Herve asked my guy and he says "suck it up!" Guess that means you have to deal with it." Remember you are in the military 24/7/365 and should be happy to get time off". SOFA Americans get so many perks now. From free quarters, utilities to subside food and goods. You pay a lot less for fuel, JCI, road taxes than residents. The bases are like resorts compared to what resident get. Now you tell me how "unfair" it is not to be able to drink off base after 11pm. A move that will enrich the lives of residents. Be able to go out without worrying about be accosted by drunk American military members. While not foolproof it will help.

@ Yuri though I agree with some of the things you have said today for a change, if you feel you are being treated unfairly by the benefits you receive from your own country then it is up to you to do something about it. This discussion is about a curfew and a crime not the living conditions and facilities inside of USFJ bases.

As for the second part of your last statement, statistically you are far more likely to be accosted by a one of your own countrymen than a service person, do the math do the research, there is no comparison.

Matthew, I have to disagree to a point with your statement above. I am an American and a prior service member. As with my girlfriend, I too avoid the Gate 2 street on weekends and holidays. I certainly can hold my own, but its not worth the trouble of coming head to toe with a drunk service member or group of them. Its also ironic that I can walk through Matsuyama without worrying about running into trouble since there are only Okinawans walking about. I also have many military friends that refuse to drink around the Okinawa City area because of the drunk American issue.

This should have been done a long time ago. They are there for a mission-duty to serve for military, nothing else.

We were always required to do so and we were always ready and go. If they are not happy about it, then get out.

GurukunOct. 20, 2012 - 12:47AM JST

Matthew, I have to disagree to a point with your statement above.

You can't argue with statistics, especially the ones compiled by the very local government that wants them out. The statistics prove that violent crime rate among SOFA members is lower than the general population.

Yeah, the okinowans are protesting the US military presence now, but wait until the Chinese come knocking on their door over this island debacle. I'm sure their attitudes will change pretty quickly

they're lucky it's only the island and the slim chance of china invading for it. what if they had oil? u.s. would likely do an iraq/afghanistan part deux.

Yuri, isn't it sad that some posters here, as well as other threads say that the Okinawans should suck it up? The Okinawans should understand that heinous crimes are to be expected because of the number of military members that are stationed here? Okinawans should realize that Okinawans commit the same crimes too? Im an American and still do not understand that thought process.

Matthew it is sad that the majority are punished. Then again the majority do not go out drinking after 11pm. So it is only a problem for the few. If you look at the service people who are drinking off base after 11pm, it is MUCH more likely to be accosted by them than a resident. Remember this it is not the government of Japan making the rules but your own command. The government of Japan asked the US military GUESTS to improve DISCIPLINE of American Service People. If this does not work than impose strict rules like General Order #1, no drinking, no going off base. No driving of a POV off base if you need to go between bases take the military bus. What the USAF General did was nothing, he is trying to keep the Government of Japan and the residents of Japan happy. My guy says, "you are in Japan on military orders, you have the right to demand NOTHING! "If you want to be a civilian on the block than get out."

basroil, who is talking statistics? Im talking reality. I would feel sorry if you let your daughter walk down those areas alone every weekend night. I can guarantee you that something bad, not necessarily rape, will occur. It has nothing to do with statistics. It doesn't matter who did what. What matters is that a guest in a foreign country...military that are held to a higher standard, words of the General at that, commit crimes on Okinawa.

Yuri I am not speaking of just Okinawa, this incident impacted service people across Japan even thousands of miles away. Since I don't live in Okinawa anymore I can't speak to how it is there. But your comments about people out drinking after 11 are totally wrong elsewhere in Japan. According to your comments you are saying Drinking + Service Members + 11+PM = rape, destruction, mayhem. This is a absolute fabrication. I have no dog in this fight since I left the service years ago but I still know when something stinks, and these blanket policies are only to appease those complaining and accomplish nothing. You know what happens when you make an early curfew? People just drink a lot more sooner if their goal is to get drunk. Barisol as far as your comments go, I don;t agree with you. I live in a town that has little to no foreign population, then why was my friends daughter attacked and attempted to be raped by a Japanese man? Seriously raped and drunk and disorderly conduct happens among all peoples here not just service people, it is just being propagandized because this time it involves service people. I wonder seriously how often they have ran an article about the good things service members do in Japan, like provided clothes for orphaned children or cleaning up an elderly care home because their own countrymen can't be bothered to take care of their own. The good far outweighs the bad, but the fact is that bad news sells newspapers not good news.

First of all I strongly condemn this tragic and sad incident and have my full support and sympathy with the victim in this case but please dont just blame others for that.

I am in no support and opposition for anyone here but I think incidents like that happens when people lose their moral and basic values or just forget them. To avoid such incidents institutions should adopt strict policies on both sides. Women of all ages must wear modest and respect their cultural values. Proper dress code should be introduced to them so they stop irritating and seducing guys. Guys regardless of their nationalities and profession must behave properly,stop drinking outside and late night in bars and clubs. In my belief eradicating rape is not impossible if we apply these simple but practical values in our societies and give moral education to both men and women.

Last but not least Japanese girls give VIP treatment to American and western guys and some of them are really addicted and super obsessed from them,simple advice please be natural and nice to everyone but dont make someone so specialand also dress like modest and mature people not like prostitutes.

Matthew, agree with you for the most part. It is just that the few take advantage of being able to go off base after 11pm and commit crimes. Is it fair to those who go off base after 11pm and drink? No but they are in the military and life is just not fair while serving your country. If their officers and senior nco's had done their job it would not have happened. They were on an overnight and suppose to be on duty the next day. Duty as members of an aircrew and thus they had no business drinking to the wee hours of night. Can tell you from my service time it is all about discipline. If that means no drinking off base after 11pm for the sake of better relations with your hosts, then so be it. If the military members get stupid drunk on base then the military can observe it and apply discipline. The members can be brought up before captains mast or whatever. The point is they would not have bothered their hosts. About Japanese criminals, well every country has them. The point is they are in their own country and not guests in another. They are criminals and not subject to military discipline. Please take not that government leaders, police, etc and their bad behavior is noted by the Japanese press.

Peronnel on duty there are not on Holiday.

They have a job and duty to perform.

A complete restriction to leave any base without official reason is not out of the question.

Afterall the military does not work as a democracy.

The sad truth is the American military culture of going out drinking to the early morning getting blind drunk.

@ Yuri: That's not really true. In Yokosuka, quite a few of the DUI's that have occured on the base were caused by Japanese national drivers. Some were even pulled over on their way in to work in the mornings. So contrary to popular belief, not all of the military bases are full of "drunken sailors" looking for a good time.

Alpha Ape it does not matter what Japanese national driver do or do not do in Japan. Yes the American bases are part of Japan and NOT the United States. Only the embassy and consulates are "American soil". American rules and laws do not apply to non military. Having said that Japanese law does apply and that includes American bases being restrictive areas. Thus those drivers are subject to penalty according to Japanese law.

No I do not see the bases being full of drunken sailors. It is just that the few go off base and cause problems. It is up to American military members not to bother residents of Japan. So why is being off base and drinking in a bar so important to you? I would really like to know.

RingsideOct. 20, 2012 - 01:11AM JST

basroil, who is talking statistics? Im talking reality. I would feel sorry if you let your daughter walk down those areas alone every weekend night

Apparently you have no clue as to what statistics are. Your daughter is safer in the military bases full of seamen than she is walking alone at night where there are none. Statistically she is more likely to be "bothered" by Okinawans than SOFA personnel. If you want her to be safe you should impose your own curfew on her.

@ Matthew....they are not more likely to be accosted by their own....not by a long shot. Yes there are people in every country that get too touchy feelie i agree but most incidents...especially rapes...in okinawa are committed by sevice members. You do the research. Whether it be rape, DUIs, breaking and entering assault etc, it is service members. And your comment everyone paying for the stupidity of a few. If you were a true soldier/marine/sailor/airman you would understand there is no "I" in the service. Suck it up. I was in Okinawa with the army and yeah lockdowns sucked but a true warrior will never complain. Our service members take advantage of those people over there and its time for a change. I love Japanese culture and the people of Okinawa were the friendliest Ive ever met after getting to know them and the culture. Time for service members to remember their values and oaths and act like they are soldiers/good ambassadors!!!!

@Yuri good point especially when soldiers can buy alcohol on base and drink in their homes, go to on base bars etc. Bakka Playboys ><

and seriosuly this curfew wont work. most of my fellow soldiers and NCOs completely ignored all curfews before. Most of the time staying out til 3-4 am before even leaving to head back to base. So far thats all I agree with some of the people saying here. Wont change a thing. Command teams need to start acting like they actually care about fixing the problem and not turning a blind eye to misdeeds. Hell Bet I could write a book about things Ive seen there that would def gurantee things would change. If anything would ensure decent leadership was sent to handle these problems

Regardless of the curfew, the problems will continue. It really won't make any difference. If the people in Okinawa is so frustrated with continue presence of U.S. Military for six decades, I would like to see Japan goverment declare their independence like what Philippines did few decades ago and let them defend themselves. let Japan deal with China and Korea themselves. If Japan has to defend themselves, the cost will increase by ten percent annually for many decades. I rather see Japan take this path of independence then continue arrogrance by the Okinawa people. If people in Okinawa doesn't want the U.S. military, let them leave, and let Okinawans have their wish by having 100 Chinese military ships circling Okinawa 24 hours a day like a shark looking for food. I be happy that relocating to other places will save billions for taxpayers.

The issue of military bases is a Japan's domestic issue. When the Okinawans object to the military bases, the Japanese mass media keep screaming that the US-Japanese Security Treaty is being violated and Japanese security and wellbeing are threatened. Even if they or their loved ones are killed or raped by American soldiers, or are subjected to noise pollution, crashes of military planes, or missile discharges, Japan expects the Okinawans to endure this and accept the bases silently, because it is for the benefit of Japan. The Japanese government has bought the lives and livelihoods of Okinawans for the price of stimulation and development.

"U.S. military to impose curfew in Japan after alleged rape"

I am neither Japanese nor American, so I am not in a position to judge. I would like to comment on the article. A curfew looks to me like a desperate measure. It feels like the military is enraged by the rape event, but does not know exactly what to do to prevent this from happening in the future. If Lt Gen Salvatore Angelella would have legal a possibility to execute the two guys, it surely looks like he would personally do that, because of the damage they caused. Because such desperately restrictive measures are taking place, the issue is Very hot, and if a similar event would occur in the near future, i.e. before the situation would calm down, it might very well be a point of no return for the Japan-US relationships.

Collective punishment. I'm sure the officers experienced this in training so it shouldn't be so hard.

@YuriOtani,

Fadamor, I use to live off of gate 2 street in Koza. During a "normal" weekend the place is overrun with drunk American service people. While things are much better than under the American occupation incidents happen every weekend. About my statement being "insulting", my guy a disabled Iraq war vet says it is true.

Are you sure you replied to the right person? I haven't used the word "insulting" anywhere in this thread. When I was in the Navy I spent most of my time when in-port and on-duty working as Shore Patrol, so I have no doubt whatsoever that there are incidents almost daily with drunk servicemen. When it gets out of hand, the base commanders usually declare the off-base bars off-limits - which normally solves 90% of the problems. This time around they've gone with a blanket curfew. I have no problems with the curfew. We've operated under them before (Subic Bay Phillippines under Ferdinand Marcos' martial law had a midnight curfew) and still went out and had fun in town. You adapt to the conditions and make the best of it.

Baby sitting! Get off the island. Let the Okinawan economy survive on its own by developing into a recreational island. Yank (and Ospreys) come home.

The alliance with the U.S. serves Japan very well. It permits Japan low defense spending, the lowest such level below 1% of GDP of any great power. The low cost of the alliance might be entrapment for Japan. Of course, the very real ones by mostly Okinawans. But the way Japanese policymaker think, they are thinking let’s not mess this up. Indeed, not even the momentous changes we’ve seen in the past few years in Japanese domestic politics have led to a few meaningful strategic debate. The J-goverement isn’t offering the Japanese people an alternative of Okinawa strategic vision, nor is any other mainstream leader or group.

I have a question for the people that support the punishing of all service members in japan for the acts of a few. How would you react if the Japanese government impossed a 11:00PM-5:00AM curfew on all japanese nationals the next time a JN rapes some one? If this were to acctually happen, everyone would most likely be on curfew with in the next few days. I say the Japanese government should have thier way with these two sailors, if found guilty. Let them rot in Japanese prison. But as far as innocent service members with families in japan, let them live in peace! I lived in Japan for 14 years with my Japanese wife until recently. I abided by Japanese and United States law while I was there. Not all service members can be piled into the same category, not only do they not all drink, some even do good for the community. One of the ships I was on while in Yokosuka sponsored an orphanage, with many sailors, including myself, spent much of our free time helping out. This is just one example of how the U.S. military gives back to the community. Please do not stereo type the American service members in Japan, it is not accurate, and not fair.

I see some folks saying that the US should go and that Japan should take up it's own defense, of course this means it will cost more money to the Japanese tax payer to do so, not only is it a money issue, it's a personnel issue. Seriously, how many Japanese do you personally know, would join the armed forces of Japan? Would YOU yourself, if you are claiming to be Japanese, be willing to join the armed forces of Japan? Notwithstanding a change to the Japanese constitution. Most Japanese don't want to join the military, so how do you maintain a large force to deter China and North Korea? Install conscription for all eligible males like they do in South Korea? You're going to need manpower somehow. Do you think the Japanese people would really go for conscription? And what happens when the Chinese send their marines to occupy those small Japanese claimed islands? Who you going to call?

I would also like to know where some of you are getting statistics such as CajunH2O saying that most of the rapes and DUI in Okinawa are commited by service members. I have found no such statistics and was wondering if you could send a link to where your information comes from. I do admit, i have doubts about the accuracy of such claims...

Andrew it is not the 99.9 plus percent of the American military that is the problem. If the American military would do their job and restrict the troublemakers on base. That is the core of the trouble the American military half heartily doing their jobs. So if they refuse to do their jobs and are lazy. It is much easier to do a blanket ban. Blame your command chain guys.

My main point guys is you are in a foreign country. Stop acting like you are home on the block. When you go out in town with your tattoos it scares people. Add drinking to that and we have a problem. Then have the small group harassing the local people and the smaller group committing crime and you have fuel to close the bases.

Badge the Self Defense Force can hold the line at least long enough for reinforcements to arrive. I think a whole lot less bases on Okinawa is the way so that all of them will not be closed.

Fox News has already posted their headshots all over the news

http://kdfw.images.worldnow.com/images/19861678_BG1.jpg

Election year + osprey deployment + surging china + 2 arrested servicemen = curfew

YuriOtani Oct. 20, 2012 - 07:16AM JST My main point guys is you are in a foreign country. Stop acting like you are home on the block. When you go out in town with your tattoos it scares people. Add drinking to that and we have a problem. Then have the small group harassing the local people and the smaller group committing crime and you have fuel to close the bases.

No matter how you argue about the problem, it's not going away. When you have 40,000 U.S. military personnel in a small island, you really can't fix it the problem until U.S. Military leaves entirely. Most of these servicemen and women do behave with respect to being in Okinawa. Maybe you shouldn't keep wishing. No matter what you do, there will always be few bad apples.

sfjp330Oct. 20, 2012 - 07:49AM JST YuriOtani Oct. 20, 2012 - 07:16AM JST My main point guys is you are in a foreign country. Stop acting like you are home on the block. When you go out in town with your tattoos it scares people. Add drinking to that and we have a problem. Then have the small group harassing the local people and the smaller group committing crime and you have fuel to close the bases.

If the problem persist like you say, why don't the Okinawa govenor and the mayor close the bars at 11:00pm everyday? Close the hostess bar. Make it a law. Forget making more money from the military people.

sflip330 this was done by the American military in response to the Japanese governments request to increase discipline. The question is what do Americans buy off base? Food ah no, appliances no they get them free on base. Some odds and ends perhaps. What sane person would buy something off base for 2 times the price?

Having a few bars close is worth the price. Most of the one on gate 2 street are already closed. In reality the new policy will not be a problem.

@Andrew, Google it....its common knowledge. I got the info from a former MArine Drill instructor who owns Boon Bar there in Okinawa. Crap happens almost weekly there. Being part of Buckner and under jurisdiction of Camp Foster we were always on restriction when marines tried breaking into houses assaulting or trying to rape people. This is the first time some monsters have been successful. Stop trying to cover up the actions of those who shouldnt wear the u niform and do something to be a good ambassador and help stop the problem!!! Be a good battle buddy. Be a good service member

Well, at least the US is taking this seriously, though, as I have indicated on other threads, this action is an admission that they did not do enough beforehand.

That is not an acknowledgement at all, it is simple commonsense that you will never ever be able to stamp out criminal behavior out of people, the only thing you can do is minimize it but you have to maintain a balance between security and allowing people the right to enjoy life. For some reason you believe that it is possible that human beings that call themselves American's can't commit a crime and that if one ever does commit a crime it is because they were not doing enough to stop it. Sorry to burst your bubble but it is impossible to prevent all crimes within a human population. There will always be crime within a human population. The truth of the matter is that having a curfew would not have prevented the rape.

Andrew Brooks Oct. 20, 2012 - 06:27AM JST

While your comment seems reasonable as a point of discussion, it ignores the current state of affairs on Okinawa (before this latest incident) and the tensions that have sparked more than a little anti-American sentiment. To many on Okinawa, Americans are unwanted guests. Indeed, it is they who would like the Americans to "let them live in peace!"

Noliving the numbers used by the Americans are deceitful. It has to do with numbers arrested by the Japanese police. I would think it would be hard to track down an American suspect on base. So how about military on military crimes, 2,617 service members reported being a victim of sexual assault in 2010.

http://www.norfolknavyflagship.com/news/top_stories/article_7f4531b6-2b1d-11e1-8858-0019bb2963f4.html

So lets take this from the top. There is a culture of sexual assault in the US military ranks that far surpasses the rate in Japan. In other words the weapons bearing US military has a sexual assault rate of 130 times that of the general population of Japan. My question is what was the number of sexual assaults on the US bases on Okinawa in 2011?

This brings us back to DISCIPLINE and the lack of it in the US forces. So the question is the curfew enough to protect the gentle people of Okinawa from US military criminals?

Poor Gas Panic in crappy Roppongi! No ¥¥¥$$$ from all them young dudes from the based after 11 PM now???

Also, Yuri, you forget to factor in that a great deal of rapes and sexual assaults in Japan go unreported because Japan is notorious for it's sloppy handling of rapes and sexual assaults. I didn't read all of your posts but where are you getting the number of sexual assaults in the military? Also, what is the rate in Japan? According to wikipeida, there are a total of 2,278,895 active and reserve US military members as of 2010 (taken from wikipedia). By taking the number of sexual assaults you mention into account, the percentage of sexual assaults would be 0.11483%. I don't know what you would say but that's a pretty low number, what's Japan's sexual assault rate compared to that? So clearly, it's not as if the US military is filled with a bunch of sexual deviants from those numbers.

You're on your anti-base soapbox again and proving, like others on here who jump on the same bandwagon, that you know not what you speak of. IIRC you're not even on island anymore, how would you know what Gate 2 street is like as of right now? Another thing, when I lived in Japan I bought almost all of my food off base except for a select few US food items that I preferred over the Japanese counterparts (bacon for example). I also had a decent number of Japanese appliances since I lived off base (yes I purchased them). I spent a great deal of money on the local economy and I knew many others who did the same. Also, you're forgetting that it's not just as simple as a few appliances and some groceries either. Let's not forget the extremely inflated rent that most US service members have to pay as well as all of the utilities and what not. Good chunk of change right there going into the local economy. Then we have your IHA/MLC jobs that pay a decent wage, better then your average local would be making off base. Which they in turn invest back into the local economy. What if the bases and all those jobs were to disappear? There would be a big slump in the local economy and not just from Americans no longer spending money off base. Not saying the local economy wouldn't bounce back, it probably would. But let's face it, the landowners would be quick to sell their base land to the first mainland company that made an offer (no more cushy check from the government for their land). Based upon the way I've seen new land developed on Okinawa, most of it will either sit undeveloped for several years, or become something that Okinawa doesn't need like a new Pachinko parlor or yet another shopping center. Or more upscale housing that very few locals could afford or another resort for the naicha to come down and visit (and ruin, Maeda Point anyone?). All made by companies from mainland Japan that send their money back to mainland Japan while offering Okinawa nothing but low wage jobs with little opportunity for growth.

Don't get me wrong, I'm for lessening the burden on the Okinawans. But trying to paint the US military on island with a very broad (and negative) brush just makes you look uninformed.

....kids, go to bed!

I think it's quite sad that some of you would wish (or not care if) for a business to go under simply because it caters to Americans. Are you that blinded by your dislike for a certain group of people that you'd wish a local to go out of business and lose money and possibly more?

So lets take this from the top. There is a culture of sexual assault in the US military ranks that far surpasses the rate in Japan. In other words the weapons bearing US military has a sexual assault rate of 130 times that of the general population of Japan

This is by far one of the worst posts yet by you. Where do you get this fantasy drivel from? And when you refer to "your guy" I'm sure he served honorably but most of what you state is from his prospective and his experiences. As stated you paint a VERY broad picture that does in no way apply to everyone in uniform......you both dishonor those who would not in any way condone what has happened.

.

There are many steps the military have/can take to reduce the number of incidents off base which include:

Putting certain establishments or areas strictly off limits (Roppongi has been put off limits by certain commands before).

"Cinderella Liberty" similar to what we see here with an 11:00 p.m. curfew.

Liberty cards, where you have to "earn" the right to go off base.

No civilian clothes while off base, in uniform only. This makes it very easy for MPs/SPs to identify military members.

Buddy system liberty where you cannot go on liberty alone and both individuals or all groups members are responsible for the actions of each individual.

These are not new ideas, when I was in the Navy in Japan in the '60s some or all of these were in place at one time or another.

why the hell would they become stricter on the resident's curfew when the people who commited the crime were not residents?

This is what happens when people think they can be unaccountable for their actions. The result is they inconvenience everybody else with their inability to control themselves. It hits the fan in Okinawa, and while resident military know this, it seems those coming from other parts of the world do not.

Where does it say that when you sign up for military duty, you are entitled to "party"?

I hear so-called innocent servicemen say why punish everyone?

I say who told you, you are entitiled to 'party" when in the service of our country?

A complete restriction to bases unless for offical reasons would go a long way to prevent future despicable crimes.

If those two service men were restricted to military areas during their stop-over, the rape could not have occurred.

Stephen I was in Okinawa just a month ago. Koza and other areas around bases are not doing very well economically. The "new" areas are doing well because they are away from the bases. I visit home a lot, that is why we have areoplanes ;)

I used that number because it was the number of reported cases of sexual assault in the US military forces. If we consider the number of women it comes to 1 in every 100. The numbers for Japan are the same number for reported crimes. The number comes out to 1 in every 30000. My guy says it is a big problem in the US Forces and it was brought to light from Tail hook. So perhaps the US military should concentrate more on prevention of sexual assault.

My guy thinks the problem is a systemic one from American society. The US military is mostly made up of "macho" young men. He says leadership is more worried about appearances than reality.

So until there is a cure within the US military there will have to be more and stricter regulations and rules for the troops.

Problem is there will always be these kinds of idiot "jocks", military or not. The only question is how to weed these guys out before they cause damage. But because they're in the US military they have to be given the whole 9 yards because they (still allegedly?) commited a crime while under the employment of the US government.

Sick of hearing about this, but I'm not surprised.

@Yuriotani, it is the kind of "macho" young men mentality that you've mentioned. I see it a lot in personal trainers, or very young guys who are high up in testosterone levels and they just get stupid. No other way to put it.

Honest, they suffer from testosterone poisoning? Perhaps it should be one of those items on their physicals. Maybe part of the problem is these men taking extra to increase their muscle mass? They buy it on the black market and it is affecting their judgement along with alcohol.

Finding a way to reduce male aggression is a better solution along with checking to see if they are taking extra.

Might see an increase of franchised restaurants/bars on bases if this policy continues for more than a year. Otherwise Shore Patrols and MPs are going to be kept busy trying to enforce this strict curfew. Maybe a novel approach in post-occupation Japan, but soldiers/ airmen/ sailors in other regions of the world have had to deal with curfews for decades--I did so in Germany.

Chubaka, if military members break it then there will have to be accountability checks. If they want to act like children then treat them like children. That would mean the officers and nco's would have to physically check to make sure all of their unit is in quarters. Would also call for securing the gates from 11pm to 5am. If a member is not in quarters than they are AWOL. Bring all uniformed personnel on base. This is not rocket science what I write is used in all uniform services and boarding schools.

Noliving the numbers used by the Americans are deceitful. It has to do with numbers arrested by the Japanese police. I would think it would be hard to track down an American suspect on base. So how about military on military crimes, 2,617 service members reported being a victim of sexual assault in 2010.

http://www.norfolknavyflagship.com/news/topstories/article7f4531b6-2b1d-11e1-8858-0019bb2963f4.html

So lets take this from the top. There is a culture of sexual assault in the US military ranks that far surpasses the rate in Japan. In other words the weapons bearing US military has a sexual assault rate of 130 times that of the general population of Japan. My question is what was the number of sexual assaults on the US bases on Okinawa in 2011?

This brings us back to DISCIPLINE and the lack of it in the US forces. So the question is the curfew enough to protect the gentle people of Okinawa from US military criminals?

So in other words the only data you have is related to US sexual assaults cases within the US military around the world. So that means that certain bases could have a lot of sexual assaults and other bases have little to none. Like for example Detroit has a lot of murder, city of St. Paul in Minnesota has less murder. Just because St. Paul is an american city does not mean it is going to have a similar murder rate to Detroit's.

Shows also only 60 SOFA people were arrested by the Japanese police. How many were arrested military police and shore patrol.

Stephen I was in Okinawa just a month ago. Koza and other areas around bases are not doing very well economically. The "new" areas are doing well because they are away from the bases. I visit home a lot, that is why we have areoplanes ;)

I used that number because it was the number of reported cases of sexual assault in the US military forces. If we consider the number of women it comes to 1 in every 100. The numbers for Japan are the same number for reported crimes. The number comes out to 1 in every 30000. My guy says it is a big problem in the US Forces and it was brought to light from Tail hook. So perhaps the US military should concentrate more on prevention of sexual assault.

My guy thinks the problem is a systemic one from American society. The US military is mostly made up of "macho" young men. He says leadership is more worried about appearances than reality.

So until there is a cure within the US military there will have to be more and stricter regulations and rules for the troops.

Wow, looks like Yuri is back to her old self, the Yuri of JU infamy!

I think you, and your guy, still do not know what you're talking about. Also from wikipedia, there are 210,485 females in the US military. If your number truly includes only females then it's still only a rate of 1.2%, you're making it seems worse then it is. I too, am in the military and while sexual assaults do occur in the military, they are by no means and epidemic.

You really should quit before you make yourself look even more foolish Yuri.

Where does it say that when you sign up for military duty, you are entitled to "party"?

I hear so-called innocent servicemen say why punish everyone?

I say who told you, you are entitiled to 'party" when in the service of our country?

A complete restriction to bases unless for offical reasons would go a long way to prevent future despicable crimes.

If those two service men were restricted to military areas during their stop-over, the rape could not have occurred.

It's called morale and welfare, it helps keep your average solider from going off and killing himself (which happens more often then one might think). Also, if they didn't allow anyone to have any form of social life while enlisted then no one would join. Makes no sense to keep people restricted to base for the reason you specify. What would be the point? So expats can go to starbucks without being surrounded by those "dirty" military members?

If anything, your solution would make people go even more crazy. I've seen it happen way too many times before. Long periods of restrictions always end with a surge of incidents because when they're finally let off their short lease, they go buck wild and make mistakes.

Been on Kadena and it is nice. Plenty of different clubs and restaurants. Lots of places to socialize, hardly like the FOBS and airbases my guy was confined to in Iraq for a year. I am suggesting that the officers and ncos do their job for a change. They should pick who can and can not go into town. A look at their service jacket should be enough and with input from their first line leadership. If they do it they the selected troops could go off base anytime. I do not see a good troop going out and raping without being disciplined for something.

As for the 2 sailors, have they ever been to Captains Mast? Does the military keep track of what they do as civilians? It is all about maintaining DISCIPLINE! So you think that 2200 rapes a year to service members from other service members is alright? Call it 1 in 200 for men and 1 in 200 for women. There were 2200 rapes in the entire nation of Japan. That comes down to 1 in 66,000 and these are not disciplined military. In the undisciplined US there are about 190,000 rapes per year. That comes out to 1 in 3200 or so.

So why is there so much more of it in the US military and the number of military victims amounts to 8 fully loaded 747s. Try and visualize them and not look at numbers. So you say that is not a problem.

Christopher Browning & Skyler Dozierwalker know not to rape in America. But why they came to Japan to rape a girl walking in the street.

Are NOT real military... They are RESERVIST from a RESERVE Base in Texas.

As far as I'm concerned, They are just a couple thugs who found an easy gig / part-time job in the military one weekend a month, probably have never even through boot camp.

Texas is a dangerous place, that's where they recruited these THUGS...

This is what happens when you want a politically correct military, they take away all of the REAL training, and core values, so that women, homosexuals, and transgenders can serve in any role (whether they are qualified or NOT) and then you end up with a SOCIAL Experiment, NOT a Disciplined Fighting force...

Hackworth was so right... RIP Hack

Are NOT real military... They are RESERVIST from a RESERVE Base in Texas. So how do you explain the full time guys that are stationed there that do it all the time? Or better yet the three in 95 that kidnapped and raped that poor 12 year old? How about the male on male rapes reported every 2 months or so on various marine bases there? (Most common on foster according to the officer i knew) Military in general overseas ahve no respect for the locals. I always hear d people complain Okinawans didnt speak english, They would say " If they want my business they need to elarn english and stop speaking japanese" Really? Your a guest there but they have to cater to you?? All a bunch or juiced up prima donnas and I ahte to say that because I learned a lot from my time in the service. But it was idiots like this and all the other incidents that make me glad to be out. Again I hope these guys get the books thrown at em

I believe this is the wrong decision to make for ALL of Japan. People here in Tokyo and Aomori area have been keeping to their business for a long time and haven't been causing this type of trouble. For us to be punished under this crime is a big punch in our gut on the main land. This won't just effect drink people, this effects all events that will end at 11pm. Think about all the events, plays, concerts, that usually end at 11pm for you catch the last trains to go home. Times where I have been at my in-laws house late to get home later than 11pm. Or when I can't go to a baseball game without having to worry about getting in trouble because the team went over its projected time or into extra innings and I payed almost 10k yen to see the game. Or wanting to see an American band at Zepp Tokyo in Odaiba knowing well that it will take at least 1-2 hours by car and/or train to get back to any military installation. Now I have to leave early or not even go because of people who can't act like moral beings. When my brother in law got married, I was home by midnight. If that would have happened during this curfew, I would get punished. I may be able to take time off to stay at the hotel where he got married at, but would someone report me because I wasn't on an installation. This undermines the majority of people mostly that have families and does great things for this country. This only makes it harder for us to plan accordingly that may have to travel earlier or not go at all. What has happened to the young lady is completely wrong and immoral, but this is not the right direction to take for the tens of thousands of service members that are actually stationed here that abide by the rules and laws.

@nightflesh

You have all my sympathy, buddy. Seriously stupid to restrict the rights of all because of the misbehaviour of a tiny minority. But what can you expect from the military?

"11pm to 5am curfew"

The bar owners on Bar Row don't like this.

Oh Yuri, you're just making things up now. So funny to watch you crash and burn.

Sorry Stephen, the US Military as an problem with rapes within their ranks. So I am calling for increased DISCIPLINE.

Look guys nothing I can do one way or another. Do you think the Commander of the Pacific forces would follow my advice? I could wear my msdf uniform.

Yes, these idiots were totally in the wrong and all of the military people and their families are upset with them. However, let me say, that when an American woman was raped by an Okinawan, this much to-do was not made. Also, the young Japanese man who stabbed an American "friend" here in Okinawa just got his sentence of 8 years, probably out in 5. Things aren't quite balanced.

Has anyone else noticed that every time there is a crackdown on the military in Japan, it's a temporary success followed by a massive failure?

The key to stopping off-post crime is far better overseas screening by the services and to quit punishing the whole for the actions of a few. Although it is displaced anger, some service members feel resentment toward the Japanese when things like this happen. I'm not saying it's right, just that it is.

Before that horrific rape of the 12 year old girl in Okinawa years ago, there were no restrictions on liberty and people were actually able to go off base and enjoy Japan, which aided in developing a sense of ownership of Japan. Bringing people together is the answer. When's the last time segregation has ever worked?

Also, the military should allow homesteading. Not only does it cut down on the costs of PCSing the troops, it allows the people who truly love Japan to stay and minimizes the amount of people who are sent to Japan against their will.

Keeping people locked up on the base just increases stress levels which turns into liberty incidents. It's like the military powers that be have never been in the inside of a sociology class. They are a broken record of bad apologies and stupid curfews.

"The resolution, passed unanimously by the island chain’s assembly, said U.S. military top brass were not doing enough to control their thousands of personnel.

“Yet another incident has taken place. In fact, the severity of the incidents is intensifying,” it said. “With overwhelming indignation, we must question the present efforts of the U.S. Forces to prevent such incidents from happening.”

Yes, and the same goes for the Japanese government - shame on them for not stopping train platform stabbers, thieves, rapists, murderers, yakuza, immoral police, crooked politicians, bosozoku...etc...yes, because only in Japan are GAIJIN CRIMINALS!!

Regardless, if your in the U.S. military, you have to always remember that you are a guest in their country, and have to follow their local laws. You are not in the U.S. territory and Japan is a foreign country. Japan has every right to tell the U.S. goverment of their concerns. Japan has sovereignty to Okinawa and has independent authority to power and rule, and make a changes in their rule, regardless if it's fair or not.

BLOW THINGS OUT OF PROPORTION TO FURTHER FEAR MONGERING.

Figures from the Okinawa prefectural police show the percentage of crimes committed by this group has fallen from a high in 1973 of 6.9% of all crimes to 0.8% in 2011. Last year, the group accounted for around 3% of Okinawa’s total population.

THREE PERCENT! Now that is not even news. What is sad is a bunch of people are trying to promote fear mongering and ignoring the elephant in the room of the fact that 97% of the crime is being committed by natives. So, ignore the natives who commit most of the crimes and focus on the measly 3%.

And then we have Yuri with her standard US military is dangerous and abusive of the local natives. To hear you and CajunH20 tell it, the military is down there just waiting to abuse the natives and foaming at the mouth to commit crimes and completely lacking any kind of self discipline. SELF DISCIPLINE which is a mainstay of US military logic. Well, I don't know what military you were in Cajun, but you and I MUST HAVE BEEN in different militaries. I have no idea where you got that info at all. I was down there. I have no idea what you are talking about and it saddens me that someone like yourself who SAYS that he was in the military would say such a ridiculous thing. Thanks for demonizing us though. That will surely help the situation.

And for the rest. Congrats on ignoring the numbers. 97% of the crimes are committed by the NATIVE POPULATION. But you wanna make a HUGE DEAL out of the 3%. Thanks for demonizing us and ignoring real issues. Let me remind you guys again. NINETY-SEVEN PERCENT NATIVE!

Excuse me. I meant to say 99% of the crime is committed by natives, not 97%. 3% is the military population of Okinawa.

Here you go.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/quote-of-the-day/view/by-930-p-m-last-friday-all-americans-had-disappeared-sales-proceeds-have-dropped-to-one-tenth#comment_1436464

Clubs in Okinawa are indeed suffering!!!