Tokyo, Nov 3:
Japan has urged the United States to strengthen disciplinary measures among its military personnel stationed in the country after a second US Marine was arrested in Okinawa on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol during a military curfew. The latest incident has renewed concerns over the conduct of American troops on the southern Japanese island and added to tensions surrounding the US military presence.
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on Monday that Tokyo had asked the US military to strictly enforce discipline among its personnel, introduce effective measures to prevent further incidents and ensure compliance with the nighttime curfew. He said the Japanese government wanted Washington to take the latest incident seriously.
The Marine was arrested on Saturday, October 31, during a curfew imposed on US military personnel in Okinawa. The restrictions require servicemen to remain on their bases or at approved off-base residences between midnight and 5 am. The curfew was introduced following the arrest of another Marine in connection with the alleged murder and robbery of a 39-year-old local woman in Naha earlier in October.
The earlier case has triggered widespread public anger in Okinawa. Japanese prosecutors last week indicted the 20-year-old Marine accused of killing the woman. According to reports citing the indictment, the serviceman allegedly strangled her in a hotel using a telephone cord and stole her belongings. The accused has denied the allegations. Following the incident, US military authorities imposed temporary restrictions on alcohol consumption and off-base activities before introducing the month-long curfew.
Japanās Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had earlier lodged a strong protest with Washington, calling for full cooperation with the investigation and stricter discipline among US military personnel. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has also indicated that officials are reviewing the rules governing the off-base conduct of American servicemen. The existing guidelines, updated in 2024, include restrictions on drinking in public and visiting bars during specified early-morning hours.
The United States has approximately 54,000 military personnel stationed in Japan, with the majority based in Okinawa. Crimes and misconduct involving US servicemen have remained a longstanding source of tension between the two security allies, particularly among residents of Okinawa, who have repeatedly raised concerns over the impact of the military presence on local communities. The latest arrest is expected to intensify discussions between Tokyo and Washington over accountability, preventive measures and the conduct of US forces stationed in Japan.