Protests in Okinawa Against U.S. Military Sex Crimes Highlight Ongoing Struggles

On June 28, 2024, demonstrators convened outside the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture to raise their voices against sexual crimes perpetrated by American military personnel. The Okinawa Times made a bold move recently by dedicating an entire page to document a chronology of such crimes that have occurred in the region since 1945, listing a total of 371 cases in small print, illustrating the pervasive and painful reality of these offenses in Okinawa.

The shocking statistics brought to light the continuous cycle of violence against women, echoing historic protests that erupted in response to the rape of a 12-year-old girl in Okinawa in 1995. Notably, the recent report revealed that in the same winter as the protests, two other female victims and a 14-year-old girl were also assaulted, prompting outrage and disbelief among residents who felt blindsided by the ongoing tragedies.

The haunting lyrics of a song by Yoko Tamaki reflect the losses felt by the community, listing the names of girls who fell victim to violence linked to military presence. The repeated trauma raises pressing questions about how long the community must endure the weight of these memories, especially with ongoing legal actions against a U.S. Marine accused of assaulting a woman last November, just months after the military promised preventative measures.

Despite calls from Washington and Tokyo for stringent disciplinary actions to be enforced after each incident, many in Okinawa view these responses as insincere and ineffective, as history has shown little change. The frustration builds as Okinawans reflect on thirty years since they declared a commitment to prevent such tragedies, recognizing the ongoing struggle for safety and justice that persists to this day. The column Vox Populi, Vox Dei continues to highlight various societal issues, reflecting on contemporary culture and the significant challenges faced by the people of Okinawa.