U.S., Japanese officials consider joint security

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U.S., Japanese officials consider joint security
By Teri Weaver, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, February 25, 2008

U.S. and Japan officials agreed Friday to improve communications and work on security measures in reaction to recent alleged crimes by U.S. servicemembers on Okinawa, according to a statement released by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement said both countries would consider joint police patrols in certain Okinawa neighborhoods, would share more information about U.S. servicemembers who live off base, and would continue to work closely with local Okinawa officials when crimes occur.

The statement came after nearly two weeks of furor following the Feb. 10 arrest of a U.S. Marine, who is being held on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old Okinawan girl in his van after inviting her to his off-base house.

A week later, two other servicemembers faced separate accusations of drunken driving on a local road and wandering through a local residence while drunk. Earlier this week, a soldier in Army custody was interviewed by Okinawa police regarding a possible Feb. 17 rape.

The cases have prompted local politicians to ask the military to better account for its members who live in Okinawa neighborhoods. An official written protest from the prefectural assembly requested a survey of all military members and workers living off base on the island.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52790