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Okinawan women's civic group chronicles sex crimes by U.S. military

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By Tomomi Tomita

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But the acts of sexual violence by U.S. servicemen are likely to be even more extensive than research has so far uncovered, according to the group, called Okinawan Women Act Against Military Violence.

This is a sad part of the history of the military in Japan, yet let's not forget that Japanese themselves are also guilty of brutal sexual crimes against their own, and the numbers here never tell the complete story EVER.

2 ( +29 / -27 )

the 1949 crime by a U.S. serviceman who was an acquaintance of the baby's mother stands out as arguably the most heinous and unimaginable -- the baby reportedly died soon afterward.

> According to Harumi Miyagi, a researcher of Okinawan women's history working together with Takazato on the project, the baby, who was taken away by the U.S. serviceman, "clearly" had been sexually assaulted and died after she was returned to the mother.

These two paragraphs SHOULD be put together to give continuity to the discussion. This is an alleged crime and reporting here 70 years after the fact, based upon hearsay evidence is wrong, in my opinion.

If alleged acts are supposed to be taken as "fact" we are all in trouble!

Yes, henious crimes were committed, but, let's look at the last 20 years of so, crime is so far down, it's to the point of being almost a non-issue here. Times were different, and there is no excuse nor forgiving what happened, but if these are going to be brought up in today's way of looking at history, let's bring up too all the crimes committed by IJA in Asia, and how about all the crimes, including MURDER of Okinawan people by the Japanese military.

These too MUST be included as to give a context to the overall situation at that time.

0 ( +19 / -19 )

Well, this happen mainly because the US station thousand of soldiers in foreign countries for long period of times. All kind of men join the military. And if they are too long away from home, eventually some will crack. Even women in the US army usually don't get that well of a treatment from what i heard. I think what they must do is to clearly seperate the base from the civilian community. And only allow to leave for certain emergencies or at least being supervise by another service men while leaving the base.

But i guess with time, things has improve a lot compare to the past and the japan has form a strong bond with the US through the decades. Let's just get along. Because most of them left their country to serve their nation and are here to help and provide aid. They also sacrifice a lot and many are nice and good people. Is not always such grim news. I just hope both side will work harder to prevent such horrible things from happening again. But i do think that both side government should do something for those who had suffered.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

To sit here and generalize people who are in or have been in the military is a disgrace.

I was a young military member in Okinawa and at NO time would I have allowed anything to happen

to a local, if I had been in the area. I think you will find MOST people feel the same.

Remember Richard Ramerez of San Diego ?

6 ( +16 / -10 )

Sad, and unacceptable at any level.

It's alright to document and preserve history so the next generations may learn from others mistakes and hopefully improve on it.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

@WA4TKG,

Agree 100%! I don't think 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of people in the Military would let anything happen to a local here. I have a problem...when I see something happen here my mind tells me to spring into action and help the person in need..People that know nothing about the military seem to think we were just brainwashed to kill, which is incorrect. We are the ones that run to the danger while everyone else runs away!

0 ( +12 / -12 )

@Mark.

yes it is wrong, but if you want to play the victim card, you can't admit your own wrong doings.

-2 ( +11 / -13 )

FYI, the US Military is not just going to leave..it is written into the Japanese constitution that the US Military will defend Japan...If you are against that use your "power" to get it changed. Post here in 5 years how well that worked out for you.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

Ricky,

Thank you.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

The US military are NOT here to defend Japan, although that of course is the stated reason. They are here to threaten China and North Korea. Just like US bases in Europe and the Middle East aren't there to "protect" anyone. They are there to threaten potential foes and project power.

The number of sex and other crimes committed by US servicemen is a disgrace but as others have pointed out, probably no higher than crimes committed by locals including local service personnel.

6 ( +17 / -11 )

WA4TKGToday 07:26 am JST

To sit here and generalize people who are in or have been in the military is a disgrace.

I was a young military member in Okinawa and at NO time would I have allowed anything to happen

to a local, if I had been in the area. I think you will find MOST people feel the same.

Remember Richard Ramerez of San Diego ?]

I have people close to me who are active US military. I read all of these posts with a skeptical eye because you are not wrong in that it is often the case that crimes by US military are singled out in ways that crimes by Japanese are not, or are written in a way that imply the crime was committed because the person was military, and not because they were a criminal.

But this post isn't stereotyping or generalizing. It's detailing crimes that have been committed by particular group of people in a particular place. Not once does the article imply that it's only US military that commit sex crimes, nor does it imply that all US military commit sex crimes.

The fact is, sexual assault is a huge problem in the military. Female active military members as well as civilians suffer for it. Articles like this are needed to call attention to the problem and force the military to deal with their rape problem. They aren't doing enough. And it will never be enough unless they first admit there is a HUGE problem.

6 ( +15 / -9 )

It is time for All the United States of America Military from A to Z to leave Okinawa (and the rest of Japan) for eternity. The United States of America Military is of NO BENEFIT to Japan and more of a hazard. Aside from what is discussed in this article, the United States of America is placing Japan especially Okinawa at risk by having stations in Japan because if any other country has an issue with the United States of America, they are bringing Japan especially Okinawa into the equation. As a result, Japan especially Okinawa needs to be distant from the United States of America military.

It would allow for safer conditions and a better quality of life especially in Okinawa. I understand Okinawa is a beautiful area to live and visit. Nevertheless, Japan especially the beautiful prefecture of Okinawa would have off the charts improvement of quality of life with the United States Military being gone for eternity.

As a result, for Japan especially Okinawa to have a significant improvement of the quality of life, All the United States of America Military from A to Z to need to vacate Okinawa (and the rest of Japan) for eternity immediately.

The goal is not war, the goal is Universal Tranquility.

-3 ( +10 / -13 )

"We need to uncover how much pain has been caused to people because of the military stationed here," said Suzuyo Takazato, 80, co-chair of the group. It has published a chronology titled, "Postwar U.S. Military Crimes Against Women in Okinawa."

The military didn't cause that pain, lady. Some bad apples in the military did and if you blamed them individually I would have no problem with that. I guess all the crimes committed by Okinawans or Japanese upon women in Okinawa caused no pain. Anything to say when Chinese and Koreans talk about the Japanese army's brutality?

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

The United States Military should pull out and go home. When China claims the Ryukyu Islands as historically theirs don't come calling for help!

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

Although there have been arrests made since the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972, Takazato said that based on her experience as a women's counselor, she believes scores of cases have occurred without ever being prosecuted.

So, "scores of cases" .... are we supposed to believe her assertions without any proof to back it up? What makes her infallible?

I know the culture of Japan is to hide these things, just like it is never discussed that there were Japanese sex slaves, during and after the war as well. But one rarely if ever hears any discussion about them, because of the shame associated with it. Yet it does not make it any less of a scar on the hearts and minds of those women who were abused, by their own countrymen and US military.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

expat

The US has never willingly surrendered territory it has occupied during its military campaigns.

Seems to me they have wilingly surrendered all the territories they occupied during their military campaigns. However, I agree that a lot of these military bases should be closed. Countries like Japan and Korea are rich enough to take care of their own defense.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

@girl_ 8:20a Thanks for your support of active US military.

However, what are You talking about? *“...the (article) isn't stereotyping or generalizing, detailing crimes that have been committed by particular group in a particular place. *Not once ??? does the article imply that US military commit crimes,...

Are we not reading the same article???

Takazato says, "*We need to uncover how much pain has been caused to people because of the military stationed here," - co-chair, publisher of "Postwar U.S. Military Crimes Against Women in Okinawa*."

Stop diverting & derailing from this topic her and trying to create a different one about the US military’s possible internal problems with personnel. Perhaps your tenacity is could be more appropriately channeled today in ‘Business’ : #MeWho? Global firms lag on sex harassment, women-friendly policy”. - Best Wishes.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

baroque1888Today 08:48 am JST

It is time for All the United States of America Military from A to Z to leave Okinawa (and the rest of Japan) for eternity. The United States of America Military is of NO BENEFIT to Japan and more of a hazard. Aside from what is discussed in this article, the United States of America is placing Japan especially Okinawa at risk by having stations in Japan because if any other country has an issue with the United States of America, they are bringing Japan especially Okinawa into the equation. As a result, Japan especially Okinawa needs to be distant from the United States of America military.

> It would allow for safer conditions and a better quality of life especially in Okinawa. I understand Okinawa is a beautiful area to live and visit. Nevertheless, Japan especially the beautiful prefecture of Okinawa would have off the charts improvement of quality of life with the United States Military being gone for eternity.

China has been doing lots of provocative actions even with the U.S. presence so do you think if the U.S. leaves, China's military is just going to sail back where they came from too? Foolish to think that. Also, Okinawa is one of the poorest, if not the poorest prefecture in Japan and the central government doesn't give two yen about the place. The true fact of the matter is the crime rate for the U.S. military is probably not any higher than it is for the civilian population and all the governors, bureaucrats and the old woman in the article only use it for their own personal or political gain. That's why Japan as a whole never breaks down crime stats because the real truth would be inconvenient for the people. We're the military to leave, the money, jobs, etc put into the economy by the U.S.' presence will not be replaced by the central government and most of the land occupied by the bases will not be put to any real use. Quality of life will not improve but actually worsen.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

"This is a sad part of the history of the military in Japan, yet let's not forget that Japanese themselves are also guilty of brutal sexual crimes against their own, and the numbers here never tell the complete story EVER."

Interesting.

The American conspiracy sweating, twisting and turning trying to justify their nefarious deeds by resorting to the same tactics they are too quick to deny others.

All the while praying articles such as this one don't stay here too long.

"You do it too" only works when one of them is involved.

Nice.!

1 ( +14 / -13 )

Suspicions abound some administrators may use their own ‘accounts’ to ‘urge’ the flow.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I’ve been threatened by US military many times and told there are certain places I can’t go, and I’m male. I can’t imagine what it must be like for a young Japanese woman.

4 ( +14 / -10 )

U.S.' presence will not be replaced by the central government and most of the land occupied by the bases will not be put to any real use.

Just curious, what is "real use" to you? You have to keep in mind that compared to bases in mainland Japan, the overwhelming majority of the land used by the military is owned by private landowners and not the government.

So, what rights does anyone have to tell a private landowner how to use their own property?

Oh and the US military, and everything associated with it, including off base housing, shops, restaurants, everything, only accounts for roughly 4% of the total GNP of Okinawa.

Sure Kadena, Okinawa City, and some other areas would feel a pinch, but never forget either, that they built themselves up today, BECAUSE they host the bases.

One rarely hears of problems with bases in mainland, and that is because the local communities work with the bases to alleviate problems.

Unlike here where the politicians and bureaucrats literally scream anti-base slogans, all the while they have their hands out begging for more money. They literally love biting the hand that feeds them, and the Governors from Ota, Onaga and Denny, put the brakes on all sorts of development projects here in Okinawa because of their anti-base stance. It's the Governors who actually worked with the government that made all sorts of improvements here in Okinawa.

I for one would prefer the latter rather than the former, and see Okinawa continue to grow!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

I’ve been threatened by US military many times and told there are certain places I can’t go, and I’m male. I can’t imagine what it must be like for a young Japanese woman.

How, as a resident of Japan (assuming here/probably a bad idea) does the US military "threaten" you many times? What do you do that causes the giant entity that encompasses the US MILITARY, to threaten you as an individual?

The US Military does not typically go out of it's way to threaten individuals living on foreign soil for no reason.

So what are the reasons THEY threatened you?

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

People comparing crimes committed by Japanese citizens to U.S. Military personnel are a little off the mark. Japanese citizens are here by birthright and the U.S. Military is here by a special agreement between the U.S. and Japan. The U.S. Military are here to perform a particular mission and are supposed to be Professional, Highly Trained and Highly Disciplined and should be held more accountable than the average Japanese citizen. If a U.S. soldier is considered to be no different than the average Japanese Citizen, we are in a lot of trouble.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

snowymountainhellToday 09:42 am JST

@girl_ 8:20a Thanks for your support of active US military.

Where did I say I support active US military? You just pulled that one out of thin air. If you'd like to know my politics, directly ask instead of making assumptions.

However, what are You talking about? *“...the (article) isn't stereotyping or generalizing, detailing crimes that have been committed by particular group in a particular place. *Not once ??? does the article imply that US military commit crimes,...

Are we not reading the same article???

Takazato says, "We need to uncover how much pain has been caused to people because of the military stationed here," - co-chair, publisher of "Postwar U.S. Military Crimes Against Women in Okinawa."

As I said, she is not generalizing that all members of the military are committing sex crimes, nor is she presenting stereotypes.

Stop diverting & derailing from this topic her and trying to create a different one about the US military’s possible internal problems with personnel.

Actually, it's perfectly relevant - if the military can't stamp out crimes within its own ranks, how can it stop crimes that its members commit against civilians?

Perhaps your tenacity is could be more appropriately channeled today in ‘Business’ : #MeWho? Global firms lag on sex harassment, women-friendly policy”. - Best Wishes.

Thanks for the recommendation.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

So what are the reasons THEY threatened you?

I speak truth and experience only.

i can protect myself and can run away quickly.

i also don’t stereotype. I’ve been scuba diving with Marines and they were cool guys.

I'm a white male. While enjoying Okinawa Honto nightlife, many times drunken marines attacked me. Not all, just some. My escape tactic is to tell them I am not American and a tourist.

To tell the truth, I usually drink with US Air Force. They are smart. When marines come to the bar, they go to another one.

in Chatan I drunk with marines and they were cool. But their mindset in my opinion is...get the young cute japanese girls drunk, and they are totally yours.

5 ( +14 / -9 )

I have read more cases about Japanese women abusing the laws and playing the sex game for profit. Crying wolf. I do not blame them as it is easy cash like being a comfort woman complainer, but come on. Watch the animals in the animal kingdom and you will soon learn, see and accept sexuality as a part of the animal kingdom persona.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

My late wife was born and raised in Okinawa. I’m a US Army, Vietnam war veteran. I lived in Japan for over 25 years.

Everyone in her family insists and believes that almost every female, regardless of age, was sexually during the invasion and occupation after the war. And that common from the stories handed down from generations.

Okinawan no hito don’t want to talk about it, but it’s a common thread among them that this is simply the way it was. It’s no that way now, but, the US military presence in Okinawa is a dichotomy. They think the presence is OK for financial reasons and it’s shikataj’nai., however, they have no control over it. Tokyo couldn’t care less about the will of the Oknawa people and the history colors their image of the US military presence. It;s just a burden to bear.

This is very similar to how Okinawa people feel about the US bases in Japan. The truth is not what people want to hear.

What I do know is that the occupation of Japan was halted by McArthur and the military was ordered to stand down and restricted to bases because of the rapes, murders and robberies after the war. That colors the image Okinawa people have about the continued occupation.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Thanks Snowy, you and I are obviously not reading the same article.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Geez @git 12:10p We were just paying respect to the people You referred to: “I have people ‘close to me’ who are active US military.”

Can’t speak for another human being’s thoughts & feelings so, of course not, Didn’t say you support Any ideology.

You said “not once...stereotyping or generalizing” however, Takazato herself is quoted as saying “*Looking at the bases from the sex crimes committed by soldiers *clearly shows me one essence of the military,” There, she’s made is “a generalization” about an “essence” of the military.

Then, yes: IF the military has tried to indoctrinate people ‘close to’ you to believe “sex crimes” and other reprehensible acts are “one essence of the military”, we would support you in recommending to them they immediately ‘conscientiously dissent’ from their sworn duties, go AWOL, resign their commissions, etc

Never said crimes don’t happen within the ranks of the military branches, DOD employees, government contractors, etc on and off base, domestic and abroad. So, which military academy: West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy and all the respected branches’ for officers and non-commissioned officers has failed to stop these continuing crimes?

Yes, being ‘tenacious’ is admirable if it’s channeled appropriately ‘at a cause’ and not, at individuals. Still looking forward to your posts there.
1 ( +3 / -2 )

I met quite a lot of Okinawan women in the US since many became wives to Americans and moved there. I've heard quite a lot about rapes they and their acquaintances encountered growing up in the 40s through the 70s while it was still under US control. Many went unreported. One told me she was raped twice.

An uncle of mine stationed in Japan told me quite a few girls were taken by GIs rather aggressively which basically bordered on rape. This was a pretty well known reality in Okinawa back in the day. From the 80s on, the number of incidents have dropped dramatically.

The women of this civic group will probably find the number of pages increase even further if more women from the past are brave enough or feel it's even worth bringing up.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

P. SmithToday 03:41 pm JST

Why would you expect others to refrain from making assumptions when you constantly do it any time a man is accused by a woman?

He is making an assumption without having any evidence. That is quite different from drawing conclusions based on evidence.

I draw conclusions based on evidence; you routinely accuse me of making assumptions that aren't warranted by the evidence.

I'm right. You're wrong.

The end.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

I have read more cases about Japanese women abusing the laws and playing the sex game for profit. Crying wolf.

This is about members of the US forces here, abusing and assaulting women and children.

I do not blame them

Good.

as it is easy cash like being a comfort woman complainer, but come on. Watch the animals in the animal kingdom and you will soon learn, see and accept sexuality as a part of the animal kingdom persona.

Bad.

Rape and sexual assault are carried out by humans on other humans.

Specifically, though not exclusively, by males on females.

This shocking chronicle is yet another reason why the US military must be sent home.

They've occupied Japan long enough.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

So pointing out that Japanese women have a far greater problem than just Okinawa and the military personnel.

And highlighting the Mori, Kusatsu mayor case and all the rest that get ignored.

Is not okay.

Explain why this fact is not okay?

As I said I have no doubt that many of these allegations are true but Japan often focuses of them and sweeps the domestic issues under the rug.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

It's not just Okinawa, this happened on mainland Japan too.

They opened brothels for US service men to alleviate the raping.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Of course it’s very bad and must not happen and also has to be severely punished, no question. But besides of that I wonder a bit why there are almost no, if any, of such crimes regarding the other big bases and also by far not such a loud or visible resistance at any of the other places. That’s a little bit strange or too much probability biased, or not? There seems to be something or someone in the back who heats up the conflict especially in Okinawa, leading again to more crimes and more demonstrations and so on. But I don’t know so much detailed data about all countrywide cases or base sizes.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why japan needs to keep USA soldier in his land? That is the main topic,they protect japanese from what in this century?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

 speak truth and experience only.

You were never threatened by the US military! Never, not once.

For what ever reason you have stated you have been attacked. Strange? What makes you so special that individuals threaten and attack you? Sounds to me like you arent tell the "whole" truth and just a part of it,.

You, according to your words, were attacked by INDIVIDUALS not the US Military! You also put your self in situations where, from what it sounds like, you cause the problems!

Most people learn after the first time!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The Okinawans fought harder than ANYONE to protect Japan during the Taiheiyo senso. THIS is their reward...

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@girl_in_tokyo 12:10p JST “If you'd like to know my politics, directly ask ...”. Okay, yes, here are my question to Your offer:   So, why the attempts at trying to use ‘nuance and sarcasm’ in a country where it doesn’t translate well and, is almost always, misunderstood? Plus, why comment and debate only on the semantics of individual posters and only here in “Crime’?  At 3:53p, when we could have resolved the perceived ‘misunderstandings’ about possible ‘assumptions, you shut down the posts with “I’m right. You’re wrong. The end.” - That doesn’t appear to be very ‘fair’, something you seem to be striving for: protection of all women, equality and free speech.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's not just Okinawa, this happened on mainland Japan too.

They opened brothels for US service men to alleviate the raping.

Patently false.

The Japanese government did open some before a single occupation force even arrived after surender.

This was typical of those running the country during the war the same people that also told the population that allied soldiers would do that so better to kill themselves instead of surrendering or being captured.

They went around recruiting women to do their duty to protect other"good" women.

So it was not because of any rapes but part of the same propaganda before and during the war.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I’ve been threatened by US military many times and told there are certain places I can’t go, and I’m male. I can’t imagine what it must be like for a young Japanese woman

I am not American and find that hard to believe.

My wife and I have had far more encounters with US service personnel than I care to for many reasons but never any trouble.

But all my family members in Japan have had trouble with those nice Japanese in those black trucks with the loudspeakers,

Even my daughter has been physically accosted because she is obviously mixed, luckily her boyfriend and his friends were nearby and all SDF members ran to protect her.

I take much of what this collection says as very possible but I question a lot and I question more the "we Japanese are victims" before most will admit that this situation is because of what happened and was done in the past by Japan.

Let's be honest, Japan needs the USA military here because of 2 countries and that is directly due to Japan's past actions and partially due to it's skirting responsibility by saying the Japanese people were also victims of it's leaders so not really responsible.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

snowymountainhellToday 07:15 am JST

@girl_in_tokyo 12:10p JST “If you'd like to know my politics, directly ask ...”. Okay, yes, here are my question to Your offer:   So, why the attempts at trying to use ‘nuance and sarcasm’ in a country where it doesn’t translate well and, is almost always, misunderstood?

That comment wasn't aimed at you. If the person who is was aimed at couldn't understand it, then let him ask me himself.

Plus, why comment and debate only on the semantics of individual posters and only here in “Crime’?

If you look at my posting history, you'll notice that I don't only debate this one individual person. You'll also find that the vast majority of my posts are aimed at people who express sexist and/or bigoted comments, and that doesn't only happen in "Crime".

At 3:53p, when we could have resolved the perceived ‘misunderstandings’ about possible ‘assumptions, you shut down the posts with “I’m right. You’re wrong. The end.” - That doesn’t appear to be very ‘fair’, something you seem to be striving for: protection of all women, equality and free speech.

Free speech doesn't mean I have to engage any person who happens to want to argue with me, particularly when that person has a history of hateful sexist comments.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Readers, that's enough bickering.

The group's mission is "shedding light on the existence of women who have been forced into silence and creating a society where they feel they can speak out," Takazato said.

That unless it is Japanese on Japanese like in Kusatsu, then it is " be quiet, don't embarrassed Japan"!

I fully agree in the need to make a safe environment for women to speak out on such things but it seems that here that only applies if the victim is Japanese and alleged perpetrator is not. If Japanese on Japanese or the victim is a non Japanese female and alleged perpetrator a Japanese male, well then total national silence.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Why japan needs to keep USA soldier in his land? That is the main topic,they protect japanese from what in this century?

Not sure if international news is something you follow but if you did you would know about a certain country's claim to parts of Japan even claiming most of Okinawa.

And if Okinawan's thing the USA military is bad, it will be 100 times worse under that other country.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The United States Military should pull out and go home.

Indeed they should.

When China claims the Ryukyu Islands as historically theirs don't come calling for help!

Ah, the caveat. The inevitable warning often used by apologists for occupation.

Every occupied country gets that. You'll be invaded, your financial system will collapse, it will be so much worse without us, etc etc.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Every occupied country gets that. You'll be invaded, your financial system will collapse, it will be so much worse without us, etc etc.

Only one problem!

China has already made claims Okinawa is theirs.

Not officially yet but it has been preparing the groundwork for that exact claim.

It had already officially claimed the sea up to 2 kilometres of Okinawan's main island.

Now it is claiming "historical maps and documents" show Okinawa was part of China and a vassal state wholly integrated into China.

Look at how things are, Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, all the way to Indonesia and Malaysia all that is being claimed by China.

The instant Okinawa becomes a viable option it will not be if but when China takes it.

And again I am not American, I have no bone in this, I just point out the facts.

I may not like the facts but they are the facts.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Ted Maddox

This is more of the usual.

It is like all the Anti crime posters the show the criminals alway looking foreign, and the going on about crime by foreigners.

When the police's own stats shows the foreign residents actually commit fewer crimes based on population size than the Japanese.

But judging by the posters and media no one would know that.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In general, *many* Japanese people *are suffering from many forms of PTSD from a variety of stressors*. Perhaps, the next ‘Ministry’ to be created and named should be to address the country’s ‘ailing’ mental health.

@girl 8:44a Thanks for the relevant response (didn’t notice it til now). -“That comment wasn't aimed at you’ - Sorry, but “Yes”. It was posted on Our portion of this thread @12:10p. There’s no need to make excuses if your direct your responses to specific username intended. Misunderstandings do happen when You’re being arbitrary, surreptitious and/or capricious.; )

Agreed. Free speech and the right to one’s opinion are important to everyone. So, therefore, we should look forward to and respect another’s right to own opinion. Is “I’m right. You’re Wrong. The end.” a ‘valid’ rebuttal?

Finally, if you have point on a topic, make it. We shouldn’t have to guess your possible intentioned answer and/or research for some kind of subtext. Your history is Your history. Maybe, if You read it instead, you’ll see Your patterns. We do notice most threads are halted or closed after You get your words in.

You seem to be searching daily for one poster in each thread, looking for someone or something that may be the slightest way outside of your beliefs or against Your agenda. However, dissecting and distorting another’s comment doesn’t add credibility to your opinion on the topic at hand. It only distracts and derails a thread and reveals ‘just Your agenda’. Our energy could better be spent focusing on the issue.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Good Work, at the same time women from Taiwan, Korea, and the Philippines also documented the rapes and other sexual crimes of Japanese soldiers during war times.

These are some of the saddest days of our history that deserves preservation.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

A good friend of mine who works at a US naval base hospital said there are rape victims who don’t report the crime after being offered US Immigrant visa.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Snowymountain, I'm not going to bicker with you. The end.

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Agreed. We should look forward to and respect another’s right to their own valid opinion. Just remember to back up your stats with the sources and/or links. Credibility is all we have to be taken seriously by men.

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The following information is NOT intended to distract from the accounts of the victims chronicled in the article above. However, in the subsequent thread, there appeared to be much confusion and insinuations concerning reporting and under-reporting of sexual assaults for both Japanese and Americans (and, as one commenter questioned, to include assaults within the ranks of U.S. service members.

So, before these comments are closed, here are some numbers from RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network(U.S.): - ”*The Majority of Sexual Assaults Are Not Reported to the Police. Only 230 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police. That means about 3 out of 4, +/-77%, go unreported. Here are some stats on cases reported: *

Individuals of college-age: Female (Students): 20% reported, Female (Non-Students): 32% reported Elderly: 28% reported Members of the military: 43% of female victims reported; 10% of male victims reported”. - No other data was listed or made available, at this time.

For Japan, the most recent, independent survey appears to be by ‘Spring’, a sexual assault survivors organization that’s was reported on by Mainichi Shimbun, Nov 24, 2020. This survey of 5899 victims, 96.4% of which were women, has shown that under 30% of victims reported to police or support groups, while many faced difficulties acknowledging abusive acts as sexual violence. *As of 2017, Japan's parliament expanded the definition of sexual assault to include forced oral and anal penetration, adjust policies to lengthen sentences, and permitted prosecutions to move forward without the victim's consent. **Current statistics from Ministry, NPA and other independent surveys are inconsistent and/or unavailable, at this time.

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