US Marine on Okinawa: B&E + Sexual Assault

[Mike Oxlong]

[SIZE="5"]Japanese Police Arrest U.S. Marine Suspected of Sexual Assault in Okinawa[/SIZE]

Japanese police arrested a U.S. Marine for the alleged sexual assault of a woman on the island of Okinawa, where similar incidents in the past have led to protests against the American military presence.

Marine Sergeant Phillip Edward Sawyerr, 28, was taken into custody in the capital of Naha early this morning on suspicion of breaking into the house of a woman in her 20s and sexually assaulting her, police spokesman Motoki Haneji said by phone. The U.S. serviceman has denied the charges, Haneji said, adding that American authorities in Japan had been notified.

A spokesman at U.S. Forces in Japan headquarters in Yokota referred calls to a local office in Okinawa. Calls to an American spokesman in Okinawa were unanswered...

IIRC active duty service men and women are currently under a curfew, where they must not patronize off-base businesses after midnight that serve alcohol. Have to see if I can find any news source for that...yup. They are not prevented from being out after midnight, just are forbidden to go to bars and such. Still see them often anyway, so it must not be enforced very strictly.

[(1VB)freels]

This sounds very fishy... To me it sounds like a case of a chick getting mad at her boyfriend and accusing him of sexual assult... This is really absurd...

[Coligny]

This sounds very fishy... To me it sounds like a case of a chick getting mad at her boyfriend and accusing him of sexual assult... This is really absurd...

I might be under-informed... but I don't remember this kind of bullshit happening with US troops in germany...

[Yokohammer]

I might be under-informed... but I don't remember this kind of bullshit happening with US troops in germany...

Probably because no one is stupid enough to piss off a German girl.

[Takechanpoo]

This sounds very fishy... To me it sounds like a case of a chick getting mad at her boyfriend and accusing him of sexual assult... This is really absurd...

Huuuh?
What ground you stand on to say that? eh?
Off course it is not a totally delusion, is it? eh?

[Mike Oxlong]

A few more details...

The 28-year-old man attacked the woman, in her 20s, when she returned to her apartment at around 3.50am (0450 AEST), reports said.

He pushed her into a room, covered her mouth with his hand and fondled her body as she struggled to escape, media said.

A neighbour called the police and the man was arrested 15 minutes later as he tried to flee, reports said.

The man had denied charges, reports said, adding that the suspect and victim had never met before the alleged attack.

[Adhesive]

Huuuh?
What ground you stand on to say that? eh?
Off course it is not a totally delusion, is it? eh?

Well, it's not really taking a stand and making a proclamation one way or the other, it's more just a bit of healthy skepticism.

Here are a few things that make me skeptical of a story like this (not saying it did or didn't happen):

1. Japanese girls seems to have a history of false allegations of sexual assault, here are just two quick links, but I've heard first-hand enough additional stories to make me wary of J-girls and these types of allegations:
[INDENT] http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17594
http://www.stripes.com/news/iwakuni-marines-accused-of-rape-face-trials-1.76006

[/INDENT]2. All Japanese accusations regarding US Marines are immediately suspect because of the huge anti-us military sentiment involved (rightly or wrongly). This Marine fondling a Japanese woman will generate a ton of outrage and investigation, while the countless other sexual depravities committed against Japanese women, by Japanese men, are often ignored/hidden by Japanese society, if not outright encouraged in Japanese popular culture. This double-standard eats away at the credibility of the Japanese system of justice.

3. Probability alone makes this story a tad more suspect than usual. Statistically, most sexual assaults occur between acquaintances, with alcohol involved, etc. Just from this limited report, the crime seems very...random. Not impossible, just statistically odd. The relationship between the victim and suspect, the time of incident, etc., it just doesn't add up in the usual way to suggest a typical sexual assault. Again, not saying it didn't happen. Just pointing out some things that make it a bit suspect.

[bolt_krank]

I'm very sus about it.... But I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[IparryU]

Well, it's not really taking a stand and making a proclamation one way or the other, it's more just a bit of healthy skepticism.

Here are a few things that make me skeptical of a story like this (not saying it did or didn't happen):
~snip~

True that. I had a couple of friends that had to bite it and go to jail cause of some girl getting caught by her parents.

My personal opinion on this subject:
1. Rapists, pedos, sexual harassment (non-rape, upskirt photoers, etc.)
- go to jail, rot there, you dont need to be on the street, you dont need to recover and be let out, just stay in prison and learn your lesson everyday. Please note that 'jail' and 'prison' are two different hells. Pelican Bay, San Quinton, Old Folsom, or prisons in the south is where they should go. rot

2. People who make false accusations of the above:
- same as above, no PC block (protective custody), no Trustee clearance, nada. rot with the scum above

By all means, if this scum bag did do that too her, he needs punishment. Like wise, if this broad is lying, peace out!

[Greji]

By all means, if this scum bag did do that too her, he needs punishment. Like wise, if this broad is lying, peace out!

I think that is reasonable and everyone would agree with you. But, what adhesive is saying is that a lot of this shit goes on that is bogus.

If the girl is righteous, the dude needs to be done. But, on the other hand a lot of these cases turn out to be price disputes and sometimes even, set-ups.....

It's better to wait and find out. If the dude is anywhere close to being wrong, the anti-US for lunch bunch, is going to keep this in the news, so we'll hear. But, it's too early to figure one way, or the other..

[Yokohammer]

If the dude is anywhere close to being wrong, the anti-US for lunch bunch, is going to keep this in the news, so we'll hear. But, it's too early to figure one way, or the other..

And the maddening thing is that if the guy is an innocent victim there will be no outrage and no outcry. It'll all go hush-hush very quickly ... it will never have happened.

[Mike Oxlong]

[Takechanpoo]

So every time this kind of incident happen, you gaijin dudes think there must be something conspiracy or lie on the side of Japanese? If so, you are crazy and ignorant. You dudes should know about the criminal history of USFJ soldiers.
Almost all of gaijin dudes and unfortunately Japanese have forgotten that in GHQ occupation period not a few USFJ soldiers had committed numerous rapes, abducitons and murders towards Japanese citizens. But mean US government pressured J-authorities to erase those criminal records. But elderly Japanese people never forget it.

[Coligny]

Almost all of gaijin dudes and unfortunately Japanese have forgotten that in GHQ occupation period not a few USFJ soldiers had committed numerous rapes, abducitons and murders towards Japanese citizens.

Isn't this the usual rant against north korea ? Sort of ...

[Greji]

So every time this kind of incident happen, you gaijin dudes think there must be something conspiracy or lie on the side of Japanese? If so, you are crazy and ignorant. You dudes should know about the criminal history of USFJ soldiers.

As someone who worked in the legal side of those issues for many years Take, I would recommend you get some background information about cases involving USFJ personnel instead of articles out of shukanshi....Any case that was investigated by Japanese or USFJ authorities is a matter of record of either Japanese police files or US Government files and can be obtained.

Almost all of gaijin dudes and unfortunately Japanese have forgotten that in GHQ occupation period not a few USFJ soldiers had committed numerous rapes, abducitons and murders towards Japanese citizens. But mean US government pressured J-authorities to erase those criminal records. But elderly Japanese people never forget it.

During the occupation Take, you need to remember there were no Japanese authorities. As the JNP was set up after the war it still was under occupation forces and any record of investigations are a matter of record. The JNP did not become a singular authority until after the San Francisco treaty.

Having said that, it is not to say that actual rapes or murders did not occur by members of the USFJ. However, to say that they were numerous and many were unpunished shows how little you know of the criminal system of both the United States and of your own country, Japan.

The only advantage that a US military member has during the investigation of a crime of which he/her is a suspect, is that he/her cannot be incarcerated by the JNP until indictment, if he is not apprehended at the scene. This is a matter of custody as defined by the Treaty. If a suspect is in the presence of USFJ authorities, the JNP can arrest the suspect, but must release him back to the USFJ authorities after the initial period of detention and interrogation. This does not mean they are free. The military can and do incarcerate suspects and they will be transported to the JNP whenever the JNP wish to interrogate them. When they are indicted they revert to total Japanese custody. If a suspect is identified in a case and the JNP arrests in outside the presence of any USFJ authorities, the suspect will remain in the custody of JNP like a civilian case. Also, when custody can be released to the USFJ and should the crime be a serious offense, or particularly vicious crime, the military commander can, upon request of JNP, release the suspect to JNP custody.

If the Procurator does not choose to indict a military suspect, the suspect can still be tried or receive other administrative punishment by the military.

If you think the US is easy on crime, be it military or civilian, I recommend you try out the system in the states and find out how fast you land in the slammer. If you do have plenty of Preparation H on hand.

The tabloids and even some of the major J-newspapers do not understand exactly how SOFA works and as such, are subject to write anything they please to enhance their storylines.....

[American Oyaji]

Almost all of gaijin dudes and unfortunately Japanese have forgotten that in GHQ occupation period not a few USFJ soldiers had committed numerous rapes, abducitons and murders towards Japanese citizens. But mean US government pressured J-authorities to erase those criminal records. But elderly Japanese people never forget it.

And China has not forgotten Nanking either.

[Mike Oxlong]

[Adhesive]

You know, Take, I've been 99% certain you were a troll since your very first post on these forums. So, I've typically avoided responding to your posts in any serious manner. However, lately, your are starting to sound so eerily similar to the typical, delusional, insecure, manga-riddled, shut-in Japanese nationalist, that I'm starting to think you may be the real deal.

So every time this kind of incident happen, you gaijin dudes think there must be something conspiracy or lie on the side of Japanese?

Not a single "gaijin dude" in this thread is saying that there must be a conspiracy every time something like this happens, let alone all or most of us. In fact, there is probably a large number of gaijin here who dislike the US military as much as you, and are apt to believe any accusation made against them. However, most of the posters here are wise enough to avoid speaking in absolutes. Please re-read this thread more carefully, or take care to improve your English comprehension before jumping into a discussion and throwing around accusations that erroneously lump people together and attribute to them beliefs which they haven't actually professed. I believe you will find that most of us merely have a mild suspicion of the story, and have stated our reasons.

You dudes should know about the criminal history of USFJ soldiers.
Almost all of gaijin dudes and unfortunately Japanese have forgotten that in GHQ occupation period not a few USFJ soldiers had committed numerous rapes, abducitons and murders towards Japanese citizens. But mean US government pressured J-authorities to erase those criminal records. But elderly Japanese people never forget it.

What does that have to do with this particular incident and the current state of the Japanese criminal system and US relations?

Take, if nothing else, please answer me this, so that I will know the extent of your delusions before carrying on any further with you: Who do you think did more raping in the middle of the 20th century, American or Japanese soldiers? And who do you think was more likely to be punished for such offenses?

Now, in modern times, which justice system do you think more commonly convicts innocent people? Japan, with its 99% conviction rate, or the US, with its 40% conviction rate?

If we are going to play the game of probability (which I admit to doing myself) then surely you can admit that we our more justified in our skepticism than you are in your certainty.

[Christoff]

And China has not forgotten Nanking either.

no you didn't!

[American Oyaji]

no you didn't!

Shoot the head and kick the balls, that's how I roll.

[IparryU]

Shoot the balls and kick the head, that's how I roll.

fixed for you

[Marked Trail]

A fun comment made on Sankakucomplex on this topic.

The opportunity to rape prepubescent Japanese school girls is the only reason anyone joins the military and transfers to one of the bases in Japan. All the other bases around the world actually serve a military purpose. These ones are just R&R (rape and relaxation).

Joking aside, America needs to just ignore the rest of the world and let the animals eat each other.

[Takechanpoo]

So every time this kind of incident happen, you gaijin dudes think there must be something conspiracy or lie on the side of Japanese? If so, you are crazy and ignorant. You dudes should know about the criminal history of USFJ soldiers.
Almost all of gaijin dudes and unfortunately Japanese have forgotten that in GHQ occupation period not a few USFJ soldiers had committed numerous rapes, abducitons and murders towards Japanese citizens. But mean US government pressured J-authorities to erase those criminal records. But elderly Japanese people never forget it.

This post is not a trolling. It's true.

During only 7 years GHQ occupation, 2536 murder cases and 30,000 rape cases by US soldiers happened. And GHQ demanded Japan to build only-for-US soldier brothels to prevent them from raping innocent Japanese women.


By the way, Japanese medias still haven't covered this Okinawa rape case, probably for Okinawa base problem.

[AssKissinger]

Marine Sergeant Phillip Edward Sawyerr, 28, was taken into custody in the capital of Naha early this morning on suspicion of breaking into the house of a woman in her 20s and sexually assaulting her

He was probably looking for a baby to kill.

[Fullback]

It was not a gentle occupation of chocolate bars and smiling children in the beginning. Take is not making things up. The murder, robberies and rapes were so out of control that MacArthur ordered a stand down, confining all personnel to quarters to effectively stop the occupation.

All commanders across Japan were ordered to report to GHQ because there was a real probability of imminent violent uprising. The occupiers were still outnumbered by over 100-to-one and the American war correspondents and photographers were putting pressure on GHQ to act. Local commanders wanted to cover up events under their command, but the reporters were horrified at what they were seeing and the local commanders had no control over the correspondents.

By the end of the war, humanity had lost humanity. Americans were just as likely to summarily execute prisoners as the Japanese were. Try to find original source documents on Japanese prisoners of war and you'll find very little. There were relatively few prisoners taken by the Allies. The troops were discouraged from taking any prisoners because there was almost no logistics to support prisoners. Japanese who surrendered were shot most of the time.

The Intel people were getting little information for their commanders because there were so few prisoners to interrogate. They eventually had to offer beer and ice cream to anyone who turned over any live prisoners to them.

To MacArthur's credit, he did take action. He was an old-school warrior, like his fellow five-star peers, who never bought into the concept that the murder of civilians was a part of war.

I guess that should ignite some flames...

[Adhesive]

It was not a gentle occupation of chocolate bars and smiling children in the beginning. Take is not making things up.

I'm not sure anyone is saying that Take was making up the fact that there were rapes and murders in the early stages of the occupation, only pointing out that it wasn't sanctioned, and certainly didn't go unchecked by US authorities.

The murder, robberies and rapes were so out of control that MacArthur ordered a stand down, confining all personnel to quarters to effectively stop the occupation.

I don't think anyone will flame you for backing up what has already been suggested.

Anywho, reports from either side will always be exaggerated or played down, so you always have to be skeptical, but we can trust Greji's account, seeing that he was ACTUALLY there at the time!

[Greji]

Anywho, reports from either side will always be exaggerated or played down, so you always have to be skeptical, but we can trust Greji's account, seeing that he was ACTUALLY there at the time!

Take's account equals an average of a murder and 12 rapes a day for the entire occupation.

His his enthusiasm for the US and his math speaks for itself.

I would remind Take that in his home area of Tachikawa that during the 1950s and 1960s, the main gate area of Tachikawa AB Base had in excess of 225 bars that were designated for GI/FGs only and the rest were for Js only (the Akebono 2chome was completely off-limits to GIs). This GI, Japanese Only system was setup by the local bar association with the agreement of the city officials and base officials. It only disappeared in the mid-sixties because of allegations of white/black segregation of the GIs.

Three of the major clubs/cabarets for FGs operated 24-7 and had in excess of 500 thirsty hostesses/licensed prostitutes (until the law change banning pros in 1958, then they became required to register with the police as hostesses). The average cost for a short time was 1,800 yen and all night with the girl was 3,600 yen ($5.00 and $10.00 US at the time). This was even negotiable downward when business was slow during the late evening to early mornings. There was a night time curfew for the GIs, so deals had to be struck before curfew and that could help with a bargin, or two.

Also, the price of this lovely hobby had actually been increased to this unbelievable expensive rate because of the economic price raises made for the influx of FGs during the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. As a result of this situation, there was not need to ask for special brothels for fgs. It was available at the bekoning call. But, Take-tachi would not believe the fgs had this many holes available to them from the daughters of the Orient.

Take and friends also have selective memory about the history of the sex industry in their own country. Other people and myself have posted elsewhere about the payday scams that accounted for a very large number of rape allegations. This is not to say that rapes did not occur by both Japanese and fgs during those times and an actual rape case is a dastardly crime. However, there were quite a few hostesses that found out that because of the military system that would hold a GI reponsible longer than the Japanese system, on or before the girls' paydays, which was usually once a month, some of the girls who were broke from gambling or throwing around their money, would through various means pickout a GI (usually a Noob) and offer him free sex, upon culmination of the act, the girl would scream rape to the US Forces and since she was a J-girl, under SOFA, they would have to officially report it the J-police. The J-police were aware of these type of "sagi's" and would probably have thrown the hooker out, but since she reported it to US Forces, they had to accept it as a case. The girl would then initiate contact with the GI, through a third party, usually a fellow hook, within two to three days later and offer the "so-called" private settlement. This timing coincided with the timing the police had to refer the case to the procurator for indictment. The going settlement rate at that time was 100,000 yen, about $333.00 US. This was a bit steep, but a payable amount, even for the young GIs. Even though the case would have died and went away in court, the GIs wanted it dropped immediately and paid up on the spot. Everybody was happy, the GI felt he had walked and the broke hooker had enough to pay off her gambling debts and get by until her next john, or payday at the bar.

The truth is that many young GIs found themselves with a National Record of an unresolved rape allegation that would pop-up in Japan, or the US on any police or National Agency checks under their name. The only difference was that their record in Japan would say that the "victim" had refused to press charges.

As a result all of these scams remain on records as "Rape, unresolved." But, Take probably has not heard of this from the pure children of the mum plant....

Again, in fairness to Take, these type of numbers are thrown around in many publications in many countries. They are neither substantiated, or accurate. The truth is they don't have to be. They are not intended for an audience that wants to research and/or verify them. They are intended for those who simply have an anti-US, anti-military, or the basic Yankee go home agenda and are looking for anything that will further the cause. The generates of a lot this smut, particularly like to use the occupation era, because that is a period where a lot of Japanese feel that they had no control over their lives and country, or what was occurring. Further, statistics on incidents during that time frame require a lot more research to prove, or disprove and as such, usually go unchallenged.

[Yokohammer]

Damn ... great post Greji!

There is nothing like getting it straight from the horse's mouth!
Very informative.

[joshuaism]

[Greji]