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 LIEUTENANT GENERAL SALVATORE A. "SAM" ANGELELLA
Alleged assault results in curfew for U.S. forces in Japan

Posted 10/19/2012 Email story   Print story

    

10/19/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFPS) -- An alleged assault of a female Japanese citizen in Okinawa by two U.S. service members Oct. 16 has drawn an apology from the commander of U.S. forces in Japan and imposition of a curfew throughout the country.

"I want to personally apologize for the grief and trauma the victim has endured and the anger it has caused among people in Okinawa," Air Force Lt. Gen. Salvatore A. "Sam" Angelella said in a written statement issued Oct. 19.

The curfew order requires all members of the U.S. armed forces in Japan, including those serving there on temporary duty, to be on a U.S. military installation, in a private off-installation residence -- or, in the case of people on temporary duty, at their place of lodging, which may include a hotel room -- from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Violations are punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the general's statement said.

Angelella also has ordered subordinate commanders to conduct core value retraining for military personnel and for civilians covered in the status of forces agreement between the United States and Japan. A review of the U.S. Forces Japan liberty policy will take place over the coming days and weeks, the general said.

"Japan is one of our greatest allies, most trusted partners, and is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Pacific region," the general said. "We will continue to do all we can to ensure the U.S.-Japan relationship remains strong."

In a statement issued Oct. 18, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little expressed regret for the victim's suffering and said officials are working closely with the Japanese government and relevant local officials in their investigation of the alleged assault.

"The Department of Defense takes all incidents and allegations involving misconduct by service members seriously and pledges its continued cooperation," Little said. "U.S. Forces Japan is actively engaged with the government of Japan, and the U.S. Navy is fully cooperating with authorities in Okinawa as they continue their investigation."

Little added that officials soon will announce a package of measures to ensure responsible behavior and to demonstrate the Defense Department's commitment to maintaining positive relationships with the local communities that host U.S. forces.

(Courtesy of American Forces Press Service.)



tabComments
10/24/2012 1:57:31 AM ET
Now I see why the Japanese hate the Okinowans. The night businesses that make money off US Japanese tourist is going to go down have a complaint and then go back up. There is stuff to do around 6pm-1am.
wolf-1, Earth
 
10/23/2012 2:49:06 PM ET
Those of you who think that curfews and area restrictions don't make a significant impact on potential crime or accidents don't know anything about leadership. Parenting 101. If we the U.S. Gov't are going to get a call about your G.I.Joe or Jane's behavior then you better bet you are going to get the same treatment a teenager gets. Smart leaders don't wait until problems are an epidemic to curtail them. Get over it or don't represent your country abroad.
AJ, Eglin
 
10/23/2012 1:29:58 PM ET
First of all I'd like to say that I hope the victim is doing ok and makes a complete recovery. Its such a shame that we have to punish everyone on island for the criminal actions of 2 guys that were only TDY from Texas. Now everyone that lives on the 12x 60 will suffer as a result. While i was there for my 4 years we received countless adhereance to standard briefings. I just hope the curfew doesnt last to long this time.
Eagle maintainer, South Carolina
 
10/22/2012 6:50:53 PM ET
From just coming from Japan not to long ago. I can say that in some parts of Japan they don't care about Oki. Truth be told i know the clubs and bars on the mainland are going to be pissed that they are abou to lose all that money. I give the curfew 2 weeks at best.
SSgt Genki, USAFE
 
10/22/2012 2:49:36 PM ET
I hear you Old Diamond but whatever happened to personal accountability Seems like these things only get preached when it benefits the preacher.
Big Mike, FTW
 
10/22/2012 2:37:27 PM ET
Being an AF member and ethnic Okinawan this is definitely a sensitive issue. Spending summers on the island as a kid I can tell you this was a fairly regular occurrence in the 70's and 80's but the prefectural government covered it up and suppressed talk of prosecutions of American military personnel to avoid angering the central Japanese and the US government. I side with the Okinawans on this. it's time to pull the majority of forces off the island and confine the remainder to base.
T-Ed, California
 
10/22/2012 1:54:35 PM ET
the article did not say they were navy so my apologies for saying OSI. i still think its dumb thay they are pushing this curfew. bad people are gonna take advantage of the inocent regardless of what time a day it is. and yes i get what we do reflects on all us us. but take my base for example we have a DUI every weekend does that mean the lot of us loose our driving privileges no. i still say punish the lot of them the guilty ones...do it publicly and loudly so that the natives see we dont stand for crap like that. Punishing everyone else is demoralizing specially since to the servise members who go out of their way to abide by the law.
John Smith, My TARDIS
 
10/22/2012 12:45:26 PM ET
This curfew equates to nothing more than grounding a child and is just a knee jerk response to appease the Japanese government. The curfew does not undo the damage already done nor can it prevent future assaults. By excluding civilians and dependents the curfew implies military personnel are the only ones capable of committing such crimes.
josh, Ohio
 
10/22/2012 10:23:30 AM ET
John Smith fair or not the actions of a few too often reflect on many. This was pounded should have been into our heads from BMT on. What one member does reflects on all of us right or wrong and overseas it reflects on the US as well. Unfortunately this is the 1st time and won't be the last.
Old Diamond, NM
 
10/22/2012 9:15:19 AM ET
It's a good think sexual assaults only occur at night between 11pm and 5am or this curfew wouldn't be effective.
Stacy, US
 
10/22/2012 5:10:44 AM ET
John the curfew is as much of a PR move as anything. Fairness is irrelevant they're trying to salvage what they can of the relationship on the island. They have to publicly show punishment and a crackdown which although unfortunate for Okinawa U.S. forces is a necessary PR move. Problem is Okinawa citizens already hate us being there and this only makes it worse.
Logical, OCONUS
 
10/22/2012 3:09:05 AM ET
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Lt. Gen. Angelella for reminding me how fortunate I am not to be trapped on that hole of an island.
Probationary SNCO, Ramstein
 
10/22/2012 2:21:34 AM ET
John Smith This is not the isolated incident you make it out to be. There is a long history of US servicemembers committing this kind of violent acts in Japan ESPECIALLY on Okinawa. While it may be unfair something needs to be done to show the Japanese we're taking this seriously and hammer the message home to the troops. Is this the proverbial 'sledgehammer for a fly' Yes however lesser measures apparently aren't effective enough or we wouldn't keep having incidents like this.
Lt Col, Osan AB
 
10/21/2012 10:33:21 AM ET
12000 military personnel on Okinawa. 2 make a mistake punish the other 11998. Yeah that makes sense. That'll teach 'em
Dave, Washington DC
 
10/21/2012 1:01:26 AM ET
For starters the individuals are Navy not AF OSI has no jurisdiction not to mention the SOFA agreement there allows the local authorities to prosecute crimes that occur in their area. Secondly It appears that John has never lived in Okinawa. The fact remains no matter what happens there all military members feel the heat when an injustice towards the local population occurs. The curfew is not to punish the masses as it is more an act to show the Okinawans that leadership is involved.
AF SNCO, Afghanistan
 
10/20/2012 6:53:54 PM ET
thats funny how a an airman could punish sailors and marines...doesnt sound right...
albert, florida
 
10/20/2012 10:42:23 AM ET
First there were two people involved and second it is not punishment it is for our protection should things get ugly through off-base demonstrations.
ANONYMOUS, Kadena
 
10/20/2012 5:10:20 AM ET
Former Marine and I used to be stationed in Japan. I responded to this article on my blog httpunicorninuniform.wordpress.com20121020u-s-military-in-japan-faces-curfew-in-response-to-rape-allegation
Luna_Fortuna, United States
 
10/19/2012 5:54:26 PM ET
@John Smith. You are right imposing a curfew for the actions of one or two is wrong but that is SOP on Okinawa.
Airman Northern Tier, CONUS
 
10/19/2012 4:13:51 PM ET
@John Smith I can see that nothing on Okinawa has changed since I was stationed there in the late '90s. You know you have issues when the number one plank on the platform of the Governor is to kick the U.S. off the island. This is a knee jerk reaction to appease the local nationals. The curfew will likely be lifted in a few weeks after the story it out of the headlines.
Airman Northern Tier, CONUS
 
10/19/2012 2:14:04 PM ET
wow that is really really really unfair. 1. why punish the lot of them for the alleged actions of one person.2. whatever happend to inocent until proven guilty...why doesn't OSI do an investigation first then if found guilty throw the book at the person who commited said act. dont punish people who actually to what there supposed to do.
John Smith, My TARDIS
 
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