Japanese government asks US military to prevent further sexual assaults

Japan’s top government spokesman said the government would call on U.S. forces in Japan to fully ensure that their personnel do not commit sexual assaults against Japanese citizens.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa spoke to reporters on Friday about a series of revelations about alleged sexual assault cases in the southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa.

In the latest incident, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps was arrested by prefectural police on Thursday on suspicion of touching a woman’s breasts. Police said the suspect denied the allegations.

Hayashi said it was extremely regrettable that such cases involving US military personnel continued to occur.

He added that the Department of Defense has asked the US military to take thorough measures to prevent a recurrence and that the government will use every possible opportunity to ensure this.

It has been revealed that the government failed to promptly inform the public or the prefectural government about the incidents.

Hayashi said relevant government agencies are currently discussing ways to ease residents’ fears, and hinted that the government may soon announce measures to improve information sharing with local communities.