Seven-Year Sentence for US Marine in Okinawa Sexual Assault Case

A Japanese court has sentenced US Marine Lance Cpl Jamel Clayton to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in Okinawa. The case highlights ongoing tensions regarding US military personnel in Japan, as it follows multiple incidents of crimes involving servicemen and consistent local protests against the military's presence.

A court in Japan has sentenced a US marine, Lance Cpl Jamel Clayton, to seven years in prison after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in Okinawa last year. The 22-year-old marine attacked the victim, who is in her twenties, by choking her from behind and attempting sexual intercourse. This incident is one among several that have involved US servicemen stationed in Okinawa, which is home to more than half of the 54,000 American military personnel in Japan.

The case has ignited anger and protests among local residents, reminiscent of heightened tensions that erupted 30 years ago following the rape of a 12-year-old girl by US servicemen. There have been four reported sexual assault cases involving US service members in Okinawa within the past year alone. This includes the recent conviction of air force member Brennon Washington, who received a five-year sentence for kidnapping and raping an underage girl.

During the trial, prosecutors had requested a 10-year sentence for Clayton, as reported by Stars and Stripes. Clayton has denied the allegations, suggesting that the victim's intoxication and inconsistencies in her account undermined her credibility. However, the judges at the Naha District Court ultimately determined that the victim's testimonies were credible, leading to the seven-year sentence. The presiding judge, Kazuhiko Obata, described the assault as "vicious," noting the physical injuries the victim sustained.

Local opposition to the presence of US military bases in Okinawa is not limited to incidents of crime; concerns also encompass noise pollution from military aircraft and environmental impacts. Although there have been discussions about relocating US facilities to less populated areas, many residents advocate for the complete removal of US bases. Experts maintain that Japan’s military alliance with the US is too deeply rooted for significant changes to occur, especially in light of ongoing tensions from China's territorial claims and North Korea's missile activities.