A Japanese court has convicted U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, 22, of Ohio, for sexually assaulting a woman in Okinawa, sentencing him to seven years in prison. The incident occurred in May 2024 in Yomitan, where Clayton attacked the victim from behind, causing injuries. The Naha District Court found the victim’s remotely and anonymously provided testimony credible, despite Clayton’s denial of the charges. Prosecutors had sought a ten-year sentence.
This case has intensified public anger and safety concerns on Okinawa, which hosts a significant number of U.S. troops (around 50,000) as part of a bilateral security agreement. Okinawa comprises only 0.6% of Japan’s land but houses 70% of U.S. military facilities, leading to frustrations over issues such as noise, environmental pollution, and crimes linked to American service members.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, highlighted the need for discipline and preventive measures regarding recent sexual assault cases involving U.S. personnel during a meeting with Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, the commander of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The governor of Okinawa and other local leaders have called for a reevaluation of the Status of Forces Agreement, which allows U.S. authorities to investigate most incidents involving American troops, contributing to local frustrations.
Additionally, recent reports indicated that from 2014 to 2024, Japanese prosecutors dropped over 300 criminal cases against U.S. service members, including a previous sexual assault case in 2020. This history has fueled local grievances regarding the military presence and its implications for safety and community well-being.
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