I thought I would touch on the Okinawa subject again due to a recent string of events there. In the past month a marine raped a Filipina woman, a drunken marine broke into a house at 4AM and proceeded to pass out on the family's couch, another drunken Marine broke into another family's home, 3 marines assaulted and robbed a taxi driver, and another taxi driver was killed by a marine. On top of this the 14 year old girl who was raped by the 38 year old Staff Sergeant dropped her case due to a stress related breakdown induced from the intense media pressure of the event. So not only is the man responsible for the rape of this girl, who had already admitted to a sexual encounter with the girl and only argued against the severity of the encounter, going to be released with no punishment; but it seems violent, both sexually and physically, encounters with marines have if anything increased and at the very best have continued unabated.
There are currently 92,491 American military personnel and dependents living in Okinawa located on 37 bases, which is shocking considering the small size of the island. Considering the fact that World War II ended 63 years ago many Japanese living on the island and the mainland are becoming increasingly angry about the presence of American military forces. The US Military has also repeatedly refused to rewrite the Status of Forces agreement which stipulates the need for their presence despite unceasing demands from local Japanese governments. However the national Japanese government is also complicit as it always expresses official outrage over these incidents, but never pursues the matter any further. However I still place the blame squarely on American imperialism as the US currently has over 700 military bases in foreign countries and the need for a heavy military presence in one of our greatest economic and political allies is simply ridiculous. The marines are obviously a danger to the people of Okinawa and living abroad has really exposed me to the military aggression that America is so well known for internationally.
Also I am not trying to slander the entire armed services as I know there are many decent and hard working men and women who in certain cases are fighting to protect the liberties I enjoy, but you have to ask yourself a question. If a foreign power had 37 military bases in your home area of 922sq miles, the size of Okinawa, and said bases covered 12% of that area, how would you feel? Also the members of said military frequently engaged in criminal acts against mainly women and children including rape, murder, molestation, robbery, etc. Especially considering violent criminal acts are very rare in your home area and when violent crimes do occur in your country they are national news due to the scarcity of their occurrence. Finally a last thought to leave you with. My sister Mary is the same age as the girl who was raped by a 38 year old man.
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A complicated situation about which I know nothing. However, I can hardly believe that the Marine who was involved in the rape will not suffer repercusions from the United States government itself. If that indeed is the case, we have sunk very low. What do the Marines do over there for jobs? Are there only Marines over there? Why are we there? Educate me and while you are researching this, are there good things that the American military does there that is not written about in the Japanese papers? I have nothing but the highest respect for those who are in the military and work to protect my freedom. I pray for them and their families often and I especially pray for their mothers who have children who are so far away. So, educate me on the history of our presence in Japan and the reasons for our remaining there. You know that history and government have never been my strong suit- so educate me as to American imperialism and foreign power. I am interested in your thoughts and also the thoughts of those who read this blog. As I said, a complicated issue. As for yourself, be careful over there.
love,
Mom
I, too, question the extreme nature of these comments about our military. While I do not doubt that, as everywhere, atrocities are being committed, I think it is important to remember that what is being reported is from a Japanese perspective, and the media will always choose to inflame, exaggerate and embellish. At heart, we are a population who is fascinated by "train wrecks", and the media knows this, and anticipates our outrage. Aunt Mary
These soldiers will have to answer to the military justice system. Yes these kind of events will happen and if we do not punish those soldiers we are lacking any moral fiber. Writing your congressmen and senators about these events is important.
The situation on Okinawa is not new and closing bases is a good idea but unlikely to occur with North Korea so close and unstable. Japan has also not had to spend very much money on National Defense and has let us the US provide national defense. This was part of the agreement at the end of the WWII.Okinawa because of its size and number of bases has been a flash point in this relationship. I hope they are not let go without some form of punishment.
Love Dad
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