Japan and US review conduct rules for troops after Okinawa killing

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

Japanese and US officials are reviewing off-base conduct rules for US military personnel following the killing of an Okinawan woman allegedly by a US Marine. A US Marine stationed in Okinawa was arrested early this month on suspicion of killing a 39-year-old woman at a hotel in Naha, the capital of Okinawa. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the discussions would examine whether existing rules are effectively functioning and include matters such as patrols, curfew management and the 'liberty' policy governing off-base private activities of US military personnel.

Crimes including rapes, assaults, hit-and-runs and drunk driving by US military personnel have long triggered protests on the southern Japanese island, which has for years urged other regions of the country to share the burden of hosting US troops. The existing policy, updated in 2024 following a string of sexual assaults by US military personnel in Okinawa, includes a ban on them drinking in public off-base between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. or going to bars during those hours.

The US military enacted a two-day operational pause after the Marine's arrest to reinforce discipline and standards, followed by a monthlong midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the Japanese government would continue to do everything in its power both to address the case and to ensure that it does not happen again.

Japan and US review conduct rules for troops after Okinawa killing — Image: The Japan Times

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How it is being reported

Japan and U.S. review troops’ off-duty rules after Okinawa killingCrimes including rapes, assaults, hit-and-runs and drunk driving by U.S. military personnel have long triggered protests in Okinawa.The Japan Times · 13 Oct, 11:49
Behavior rules for off-duty U.S. troops in Japan under reviewJapanese and U.S. officials are reviewing the off-base code of conduct for U.S. troops in Japan following the killing of an Okinawan woman, allegedly by a U.S. Marine, Japan's top diplomat says.CBS News · 13 Oct, 11:47

In this story: Japan · United States · Okinawa · Naha · Toshimitsu Motegi · Sanae Takaichi

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