U.S. Marine arrested for trespassing in Okinawa

Take their cars away from them and they wont be able to travel to Naha and these far flung places to get in trouble. They will be surrounded by their own kind, .

Locking them in their rooms at night with bread and water doesnt seem to work. Punch them in the nuts, take their cars.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/end-suicide-payments-service-members-group-life-insurance/gd8qPrX8

Has been a great year for MILITARY LEADERSHIP has it not! Colonels and sex charges guess they figure they can get away with it,because they are "superior" or they can do as they please because they have the "authority" abuse their "power" and still get to retire with full bennies! Wonder what fate holds for this Lieutenant? Maybe if he is not decommissioned he will be one of those highly decorated generals like we have seen in recent months doing as they please,while punishing those lower ranking miscreants. So much for LEADERSHIP!! Officer and a Gentleman?? Can't follow an order (even though it's a silly one) all you had to do way not get caught. then you got caught and lied tsk tsk tsk.

LOL @ "access to weapons of mass destruction". Yes... we keep them in our closets at home.

Yuri-san,

They sit on some of the best land on the island.

Exactly right.

The beaches in the North shot to pieces in target practice, Prime land like Kadena and Futenma wasted.

They grabbed some of the best parts.

Returned to Okinawa, these areas could be put to peaceful use and make money, like Uroku, Chatan and Shintoshin. The US is stifling Okinawan economy.

CrisGerSan,

I am rather amazed that American officers have so little self control or control of their men. It is ...remarkable.

It certainly is, and it's even more remarkable to think that those same people have access to weapons of mass destruction!

I am glad to see this discussion of yet another US Serviceman being not only stupid but really really stupid is nicer than some of the recent ones about other incidents. It seems that the American military is not able to control their forces, and it would be better for them to be stationed away from Okinawa and probably will be soon, according the Chief Of Naval Operations on US TV last week, they are planing to move some if not many to Guam and Australia.

I am rather amazed that American officers have so little self control or control of their men. It is ...remarkable.

If the individual were Japanese would there have been an arrest?

Most likely not.

Unfortunately, rascism does have a place in this story.....

Moderator: No, it does not.

public intoxication is not illegal in Japan and getting stinky drunk is not a sin. Am not sure if 1st Lt. Tomas Chanquet is still in police custody. Hopefully he will be released to the custody of the Marine Corps and he can get some help with his drinking problem. Let the Marine Corps do what they want with him. Being an officer, disobeying orders (article 92), high profile case and they will break him. Even if he "gets off" with "office hours" as an officer his career is finished.

Back on topic please.

"Back before reversion" Get real folks, Okinawa flew the American flag before "REVERSION." Be careful how far you dig, you may find that ULTRAMAN is contested as being written under the AMERICAN FLAG. Americans are accountable and responsible adults from the tender VOTING age of 18. We are mixing apples and oranges to get turnips. Charge the Japanese drunks and American (or any other foreign drunk) alike, i.e. "public intoxication, unlawful entry, breaking and entry, etc." as applies. Do we ever shut down, Izakayas, bars, or snacks? I know of foreign drunken teachers, business person, DJ's, athletes, and others that have been deported. No one questions their mission or even reason for being in Japan. Why are you eyeballing the military? This is not an occupation of a Japanese prefecture! It's just an occupation in support of the mission like any expat on this panel.

In Okinawa the bases prevented the development of industry.

This is a HUGE fallacy! The Japanese on Okinawa dont have the wherewithal to get any industry to come to Okinawa not because of land space, of that there is plenty, Awase, Nishizaki, Ginowan, Shiozaki, Agarihama, etc etc etc.

History shows that when the military gives land back to Japan all the Japanese do is build a shopping center, apartments, places to spend money not make money and the investors are mainly from mainland Japan so the jobs created on Okinawa are low level hour-waged. Another case in point, the Awase golf course was recently returned, industry coming? Hell no, ANOTHER Jusco/AEON.

Look I have been to Okinawa several times this year, it is why we have aeroplanes. It is not a distant memory to me. The American MP's still cruise around in their patrol cars.

No they do not! This is a lie. You may see them outside the bases but they are not patrolling. Dont lie about these things.

lucabrasi only a very small amount of US crime is in the papers. SOFA on SOFA crime never gets in the paper. The Americans come into our business and demand things. My friend "Bob" ran a ISP in Okinawa and remember the base person who demanded his customer information. Demanded private information on a customer posting anti base stuff. He was a big excrement from MCCS and threaten my friend.

The American MP's still cruise around in their patrol cars. Not long ago the arrested a pair of drunk Americans on gate 2 street. They pepper sprayed not just the 2 but some Okinawa bystanders that would not obey their orders. Nothing ever really changes.

I'm sure the local press would have had a field day in the face of such outrageous behaviour; you must be able to provide a couple of sources, at least.

The American bases in Japan are to project their presence into Asia. They are not in Japan to defend us but can do so. They are not in Japan to help the people in disaster but can do so.

In Okinawa the bases prevented the development of industry. They sit on some of the best land on the island. Yes even today! If an Osprey would make an emergency landing the first thing that would happen is the armed US military police would arrive. They would be out there weapons drawn to take control. They would also search the area looking for parts of it. The Japanese police would be there but given no respect.

Look I have been to Okinawa several times this year, it is why we have aeroplanes. It is not a distant memory to me. The American MP's still cruise around in their patrol cars. Not long ago the arrested a pair of drunk Americans on gate 2 street. They pepper sprayed not just the 2 but some Okinawa bystanders that would not obey their orders. Nothing ever really changes.

Yubaru back before reversion the American military did what it wanted. They were free to enter the home or business of any Okinawa person without warrant and search. The people of Okinawa use to get what was not needed. As I wrote going through the American trash was privilege.

This is your HISTORY, over 40 years ago, NOT today!

The people of Okinawa got enough to live but not prosper.

Some things never change and it isn't the fault of the bases either.

These days the Americans still act like they own Okinawa. If they want they can still leave their bases and take over any part of our island.

Yuri, no they can't, posts like these just reinforce the fact that in your mind, you are living in a distant past, 40 years ago at least, when you were a child in Okinawa. You are no longer here and all you have is the memories of here.

Things TODAY are nothing like this.

Yubaru back before reversion the American military did what it wanted. They were free to enter the home or business of any Okinawa person without warrant and search. The people of Okinawa use to get what was not needed. As I wrote going through the American trash was privilege. The people of Okinawa got enough to live but not prosper.

These days the Americans still act like they own Okinawa. If they want they can still leave their bases and take over any part of our island. On that subject why are people concerned about the Japanese Police and curfew? The Marine did not break Japanese law by staying out all night long. To all of those that blame the curfew on the Okinawa people do not! It is the orders of an American general and do not carry the force of law in Japan.

basroilNOV. 19, 2012 - 02:56PM JST taro67Nov. 19, 2012 - 02:44PM JST The point is the soldier was drunk and in another person's home uninvited while defying a direct order for curfew. You sure don't read. According to yomiuri newspaper, the incident occured at 7:35am. The curfew is from 11pm to 5am, so unless you somehow make the rules, this man broke no military curfew.

Speaking of not reading. Quite a few Japanese sources had reported by the time you made your post that the marine had changed his statement, admitted to violating the curfew, admitted to drinking all night and various locations, admitted to not remembering how he got in the house in question and that he hadn't been invited in.

So taro67 was totally right.

Couple thoughts relative to this issue.

Any serious crime, especially those that employ violence, committed by US military affiliated members (or anymore for that matter) is absolutely inexcusable. The expectation for any such crime should be zero - none - always.

That being said, the current narrative woven by the elites of Okinawa, without any "pushback" from the central government in Tokyo, that the expectation that no crime, no matter how small, will be committed by any of the 100,000 plus US military affiliated members in Japan is just flat out unrealistic and unsustainable. Show me any city in the world with a population of 100K, and also predominately young, that has a zero crime rate - it doesn't exist.

But rather than honestly say that this is an unrealistic goal, the US is drawn into this narrative, and as such, has to react each week as some other minor crime is committed, as the elites in the Okinawa media blow it entirely out of proportion. Where else in the world it is a national level media event when a drunk walks into a house and goes to sleep.

I have no doubt that after this weekend, some young GI or spouse will get lost on Hwy 58, turn in to a school driveway to turn around, and the Times and Shimpo will put out an extra edition on this "blatant criminal activity".......

And we all know why - "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" or in this case, money - the bottomline is that the Okinawa elites are just using this whole "crime" issue (and the MV-22) as nothing more than a "stick" to extort more "pay-off" money from the central government......

How times have changed...back in the day if you missed your turn and ended up off course; you bow gently or shake hands and leave. Bring a case of beer, box of chocolate, invite to lunch (on or off base) or make some other simple gesture as a good neighbor. Nowadays, we want the bases out, the military on curfew or even lock-down, no more drinking, curtail everything but the doubling the price on purchases and tripling the rental fees. Suck it up folks! I say, no more curfew, lock downs, or other mass punishments. Any individual that breaks a law, punishment falls squarely on his or her shoulders. I am particularly sick and tired of those who blame in mass. Fact is, if there wasn't a curfew, that young officer would have stumbled back to his base or waited for the young lady in question. You are asking responsible adults to behave like elementary school kids because of the behaviors of a few. Because these incidents were allegedly alcohol related, does not mean drinking privileges should be revoked. Get a life woosters, lock down or not, we'll still be here to support the mission. By the way, the Okinawan merchants are complaining already. They just can't vocalize their complaints because of people like you. With all the opining and whining, there are very few on this panel that helps the Okinawan economy like we do. Drinking is a major industry on this island.

Yubaru not at all I am not a fan of the US bases true. When I was growing up the entire islands was one big US base. To be fair you have to separate the people from the base culture.

The entire island from your point of view was one big base. Seeing the island through the eyes of a child vs an adult are two different things entirely.

I've lived here over half my life and where I live I rarely if ever come into contact with ANYONE from or connected to the military. And MOST Okinawan's are in the same situation.

You say to be fair "you have to separate the people from the base culture", yet I have yet to see you do that with anything related to anything or anyone from the bases on your posts here,

I challenge you to put your money where your mouth is and start by admitting that it's the PEOPLE that commit these crimes and incidents and NOT the military nor the bases. You do that and then, and I am sure not just myself, but others here will understand and respect your opinions a little higher.

YuriOtaniNov. 20, 2012 - 12:53PM JST

Lee this is Okinawa home and not American home. Our government needs to be in charge of 100 percent of our home. The bases they way they are operate today is an affront to the Okinawa people.

It is not a home. The base, which has nothing to do with the individual here, is a private restricted access institution. Perhaps the okinawans would do best to treat the place as they would any factory, simply enforce environmental protection laws and deal with individuals as individuals. This man should be treated as any other person would when suspected of doing the same, not as a proxy by which to attack an institution.

Yubaru not at all I am not a fan of the US bases true. When I was growing up the entire islands was one big US base. To be fair you have to separate the people from the base culture.

Lee this is Okinawa home and not American home. Our government needs to be in charge of 100 percent of our home. The bases they way they are operate today is an affront to the Okinawa people.

My last thoughts and the more I give it this incident bothers me less and less. If he had entered my apartment would of let him sleep it off. Everyone makes mistakes and his was too much to drink. Americans are unforgiving when it comes to this aspect. They take pleasure in punishing minor offenses.

People think of me as "anti-American" which is not at all true. I support the troops as people. The vast majority of Americans on Okinawa are good people. Sometimes they make mistakes. Sometimes the mistakes are innocent like this one. Nobody got hurt, nothing was damaged. Truly hope the Marines show some of that American compassion.

Why the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde routine?

I'm no great fan of the US armed forces, but this case seems to me to have been blown out of all proportion to the facts.

1) The guy broke a military-imposed curfew, which the Japanese authorities have no reason to be interested in.

2) He got drunk. Is that an offence? I suppose there's an arcane law somewhere on the books, but a quick wander around the streets on a Friday night in any Japanese city will tell you that it's not enforced.

3) In his inebriated state, he trespassed. Again, is that an offence in itself? There's no suggestion of forced entry. I doubt he'd be charged with anything back in the UK.

Bad timing, given the current situation in Okinawa, but a bit daft, really. Certainly not criminal.

Here's some more links to stories in English that also say that Lt. Chanquet has changed his story:

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20121119p2g00m0dm076000c.html http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2012-11/19/content_15942586.htm

Now these are links for news organizations based in Asia so admitedly there may be some bias towards the US and its military, but if story remains as is, the news media in the West will probably be posting similar things within a day or two.

By his own admission (at least according to the above links), 1st Lt. Chanquet has admitted that he knowingly violated the curfew to go drinking, he was out drinking all night, and got so drunk that he doesn't remember entering a private residence uninvited and passing out. Once again, this guy is an officer. He's suppose to lead by example. He's supposed to be better than that. If this had happened back home, obviously the Okinawan problem wouldn't be a factor, but he most likely still be in serious trouble. In fact, he might even be dead, if he tried to enter some private residence drunk and uninvited back in the US. The homeowner may have went for a gun before calling the police.

basroilNov. 19, 2012 - 04:30PM JST http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T121118003749.htm Still no change on the story.

As I pointed out yesterday, Japanese news sites tend to be updated more regularly than their English counterparts regarding news stories related to Japan. You came back with Clause 21 of the Moderation Policy. Well, it appears that the LT in question has changed his story. The following is from the Japan Times (it's English so it satisifies Clause 21).

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121120a4.html

Here's the relative part of that article:

In the Naha case, 24-year-old 1st Lt. Tomas Chanquet, who was arrested Sunday, reportedly told the police he was embarrassed for having caused such an incident and apologized for frightening people.

Chanquet has told the police that he was aware of the curfew, but broke it "to go drinking with a female employee (of a bar)," according to the officials. The police initially said he was based at the Futenma base but later corrected it to Camp Zukeran.

He is suspected of sneaking into a room in a building in Naha at around 7:35 a.m. Sunday. He told the police he drank alcohol at about three places starting around 8:30 p.m. Saturday and left the last one at around 6 a.m. the following day.

Immediately after his arrest, Chanquet told the police a woman he met while drinking said it was all right for him to sleep in the room, which belonged to a man. But he later changed the deposition, saying he was so drunk he did not remember how he entered the room.

Christopher Blackwell Nov. 20, 2012 - 09:46AM JST So the problem is not being drunk, maybe not being an American serviceman, but instead what problems they created while drunk.

Maybe more dummer U.S. soldiers today? In the 60's during the Vietnam war, U.S. had the draft with the lottery system.There were higher rate of College and University educated soldiers. Today, you have military personnel that barely graduated from high school. U.S. should bring back the draft lottery system and improve the quality and leadership of the military personnels.

Well I did the drunk Marine bit in Okinawa back in Christmas of 1968. All that meant is I took over decorating the two christmas tree in the bar.I never got into fights, never raped anybody never caused anyone any damage and spent money. Maybe that was why the businesses did not seem to mind having me even when I might over drink on the week end.

So the problem is not being drunk, maybe not being an American serviceman, but instead what problems they created while drunk. Though I think I might understand if the Okinawians feel a little tired of feeling of being occupied for Japan's benefit. There is no loved lost between Okinawa and Japan and that may be a big part of the problem. But I do wonder what they will do for business if the bases close.

Am sure most people are like me and would refuse to be a unpaid agent for the American government.

So if you were paid for the job you'd do it?

It is not our responsibility to uphold the orders from American commander

It is not the responsibility of the Japanese here in Okinawa, even you in America as either an American or Japanese with PR would not have responsibility either, neither do any other American's that ACTUALLY live here in Okinawa too.

None of us not connected to the military would have any responsibility either, and for that matter taking Berties idea, a step further she by default is suggesting as well that other foreigners take responsibility for the military folk too.

Idiot.

Officer's often get special treatment, He will most likely be confined to base, after captain's mast. In naval tradition, a mast is a non-judicial punishment. It includes Marines...

My last thoughts and the more I give it this incident bothers me less and less. If he had entered my apartment would of let him sleep it off. Everyone makes mistakes and his was too much to drink. Americans are unforgiving when it comes to this aspect. They take pleasure in punishing minor offenses.

People think of me as "anti-American" which is not at all true. I support the troops as people. The vast majority of Americans on Okinawa are good people. Sometimes they make mistakes. Sometimes the mistakes are innocent like this one. Nobody got hurt, nothing was damaged. Truly hope the Marines show some of that American compassion.

Oh dear, I thought the checking IDs to see if a person was in the military or not was a good idea, but it seems it didn't get universal agreement.

Brother Mathew Simon was dead against it:

Bertie, asking all foreigners for IDs is racist and discriminatory.

Racist?

I don't know how it can be racist. I mean, we are gaijins, aren't we?

I wonder Mathew-san, if you know you that actually have to have an ID on you at all times?

I was caught up on this many years ago in Tokyo. I didn't have any ID on me, so the policeman kept me in his office for a couple of hours. He was actually very nice, it was lunch time, so he ordered ramen, and we chatted away merrily for a while.

USNinJapan2 wonders if I just got off the plane yesterday.

No, USNinJapan-san, unless your definition of yesterday is very broad and rather poetic. When I got off the plane was many, many yesterdays ago. So many that I've lost count.

He doesn't feel that checking IDs is a Japanese thing.

Well, the police do it quite a lot, as I mentioned. Banks certainly do it. Often when you use a credit card, they ask for ID. And I believe they check your age if you are buying cigarettes or alcohol. I don't smoke, but I was once asked by a kid outside a supermarket if I would buy cigs for him, so it would seem that they do check. I didn't, of course, and spent a few minutes with him trying to persuade him to quit while it was still his (and not a doctor's) decision. And as for alcohol, I certainly look WAY over 20, so I don't get asked.

But, I owe it to the DevilsAssistant for pointing out the major flaw in my plan:

Bertie-san, although I agree with almost everything you post, Im gonna have to call you out on this one. If the military person says s/he isn't in the military and shows his/her passport, then?

I'm not American or military, but I think US passports are one and the same?

And that would, of course finishes the argument right there.

So, I withdraw my idea and retire, head in hands, back to the drawing board.

YubaruNov. 19, 2012 - 10:50PM JST

It's never been legal, check out debido's site and there is a ton of information about it. Like I wrote though it's technically illegal, but seeing as how this is Japan there are plenty of grey areas where laws fall through the cracks.

It's illegal if you are a citizen (but will never win in court, at least not compensation or even a chance to stop that racism), and legal if you aren't (courts have seen that one a few times thanks to debito, but no amount of reason persuades them). Japanese courts have decided several times that non-japanese are second rate members of society, so theoretically bars could refuse service with legal impunity. Economic impunity is another story, and they will surely learn the same lessons that many businesses did after the irish immigration in USA.

Japan is a signatory to the human rights bills of UN, and should prohibit racism by it's own laws, but the courts have long maintained that they completely disregard any laws or verdicts originating from outside of japan.

YubaruNov. 19, 2012 - 10:52PM JST

She is specifically saying only military, but that's similar in a way to asking back in the 60's and before in the USA, that colored's use a different water fountain.

It's an idea based TOTALLY on looks.

He has never actually experienced racism first hand, and as such he spouts racist ideas without a care. As there is no way for them to distinguish between soldiers and completely unrelated people, they will certainly try to make an anti-gaijin system as they have in the past. Sadly japanese people are entirely uneducated when it comes to other cultures and races, and it drives up tensions in places like okinawa where they believe they have an excuse to be racist.

Both the US Military and Japanese government have to educate the people in Japan as to why the military is here in the first place AND the media have to be forced (pipe dream) to show the good along with the bad, and even you will be surprised at how much good they actually do here.

After 67 years, the Okinawans have 3+ generations of observations with which to educate themselves. Official proclamations are meaningless at this point. Who should you believe...the government or your lying eyes?

You can USUALLY assume if he speaks with an American accent and has a short haircut that he is U.S. military. The number of non-military who aren't under the curfew and meet that description is going to be fery few. Bar owners wouldn't lose too much more business than the curfew already has curtailed if they just assumed all American guys with short hair are military and need to be cut off earlier than others. The women in the military would be harder to identify, but there doesn't seem to be as big a problem with the women getting rowdy as the guys do.

BertieWooster

Foreigner goes into a bar, the owner asks for ID and if he's in the Military, he doesn't get served. Simple.

LOL. A Japanese bar checking IDs? Seriously? Did you just get off the plane yesterday? Checking IDs for anything, be it for age-restricted purchases or access to restricted areas, is a foreign concept to the Japanese. They can't/won't do it for their own citizens despite it being required by law. Good luck getting them to do it when doing it guarantees them decreased sales.

How about we all stop posting to this nonsense? Not downplaying this incedent but there are those who will wring this one dry, wet it and wring it some more. Enough already.

Bertie, asking all foreigners for IDs is racist and discriminatory.

She is specifically saying only military, but that's similar in a way to asking back in the 60's and before in the USA, that colored's use a different water fountain.

It's an idea based TOTALLY on looks.

@ Yubaru - my understanding is that it is legal in Japan to refuse service on the basis of race? Or has this been changed?

It's never been legal, check out debido's site and there is a ton of information about it. Like I wrote though it's technically illegal, but seeing as how this is Japan there are plenty of grey areas where laws fall through the cracks.

@DA,,,,,you are right on. THe rest of Japan has to get into line. I agree,

@ BurakuminDes Yes here in mainland there are establishments that refuse service based on race as well. The is usually due to a language gap though (at least here). If you can show that you have more that a rudimentary skill at Japanese they usually will have no problem with you coming in. In Okinawa though the case may be different.

Bertie, asking all foreigners for IDs is racist and discriminatory.

yubaru, not so simple. Reading your posts, Im sure you understand that the Okinawans understand the good that the military does on Okinawa. They probably understand it more than mainlanders do. You also probably understand that although the majority of Okinawans support and understand why the military is on Okinawa, the same majority also feel the military presence should be spread across Japan, i.e., too many military bases and personnel on Okinawa which increases the chance of crime by these individuals. Of course, there are many other issues that come into play other than the crime. Im sure that if there were fewer bases and military personnel on the island, the Okinawans would not protest every crime committed by them.

I maybe wrong, but hey, thats my opinion.

Not so simple, it's called discrimination, which technically is against the law in Japan.

@ Yubaru - my understanding is that it is legal in Japan to refuse service on the basis of race? Or has this been changed? It sure does happen in practice: I know I myself have been knocked back twice on the basis of being foreign (not in Okinawa) - and a British mate of mine had a devil of a time getting into any bars in Naha several years back despite him showing his British passport - they considered he and his brother US servicemen and refused them!

Agreed 100 percent about education being the key here- the US should surely be demanding more sensitivity of all their personnel towards locals in Okinawa. The threat should be: 1 stuff up - you are sent to Afghanistan!

How about making it illegal to serve alcohol to any US serviceman? Foreigner goes into a bar, the owner asks for ID and if he's in the Military, he doesn't get served. Simple.

Not so simple, it's called discrimination, which technically is against the law in Japan. I dont think you get it, there is NO WAY to end incidents in Okinawa by ANYONE unless no one is here. Plus for the foreseeable future the military is going to be here to stay.

Education on BOTH sides, is the only way to improve the situation. Both the US Military and Japanese government have to educate the people in Japan as to why the military is here in the first place AND the media have to be forced (pipe dream) to show the good along with the bad, and even you will be surprised at how much good they actually do here.

As long as you live in a box and are only fed half truths and lies there is no way anyone is going to understand their presence. Try educating yourself about what they do and what their purpose here is, and not from just what you hear, experience it yourself and then maybe people will listen.

Bertie-san, although I agree with almost everything you post, Im gonna have to call you out on this one. If the military person says s/he isn't in the military and shows his/her passport, then?

Im not American or military, but I think US passports are one and the same?

How about making it illegal to serve alcohol to any US serviceman?

Foreigner goes into a bar, the owner asks for ID and if he's in the Military, he doesn't get served.

Simple.

U.S. forces along with their family members in Japan are under heavy scrutiny for poor decisions and actions made by the few selfish individuals who ruin it for everybody else. I am currently on vacation visiting family in Okinawa after serving an enlistment with the Marine Corps. I am Okinawan-American, I went to DOD schools, can speak the local language, and was born and pretty much raised on-island, with the exception of two PCS moves to the States. My father is also a Marine, and still actively serving in Okinawa. At times I feel torn being that I am both Okinawan and American. My first experience of this turmoil was when I was driving through one of the gates and had local protestors scream at me to "go back to America"  in my own native tongue. In one instance, while in my car turning into a gate lined with protestors, a middle-aged female protestor popped out in front of my car causing me to slam on the brakes and honk my horn out of shock, which caused an uproar from her fellow protestors. While that sort of thing only happened to me a couple times so far, I can only imagine what it must feel like for service members who endure this everyday. Okinawans are very peaceful in nature, and being Okinawan myself, I can understand the frustration in the protests especially in light of recent incidents along with incidents from the past, however let us not forget the good things the U.S. military has done for its host nation as well, for example, the annual Special Olympics held on KAB, service members volunteering to fix up local orphanages, programs dedicated to serving the community. In general,  the U.S. military are not bad people, in fact, it is the "10%" that ruin it for the rest of us. People are people, no matter what race, nationality, gender, group, religion, there's the good along with the bad. Please don't think we're all bad...

Tiger_In_The_Hermitage-san,

I think the Okinawans are more at risk from American Military personel than at risk from China.

There are many who would agree with you completely.

There is no danger from China whatsoever. This incident has nothing to do with China.

Okinawans ARE at risk from US military personnel. They know this. They have experienced enough of it. That's one reason they want them OFF their island.

bas,

You are showing your true nature:

If my daughter had left the door open on purpose, I would have downright smacked her over the head for being an idiot.

Curb this domestic violence, laddie.

Smacking girls over the head is not the way.

This one though happened to involve a gaijin with a high-and-tight and happened in the capital of Self Pity Island so it's front page news. Even a tiny pinch of perspective would be nice...

If had been just a gaijin with a high-and-tight it would have never made the news.

Pinch of perspective..........This is Okinawa ya'know?!?! lol!

aisaiNov. 19, 2012 - 05:23PM JST

That is an from an English publication, it's quite possible that it is not update as frequently as the Japanese ones.

Yes, quite possible. But under clause 21 of the moderation policy, no english translation is a bad thing.

As we both know, you can't trust the cop's "confessions", as a good deal of them are forced using coercion, trick questions, and flat out lying.

I think the Okinawaians are more at risk from American Military personel than risk from China.

Ok the Lt evidently was out from 8PM Sat drinking until 6AM Sunday morning, at a number of different places in Naha. As noted he is from Foster and is a 24 year old young man.

The rest is the same, that he was given permission from the girl at a club to sleep it off at her place and he went to the wrong apartment. It happened in Naha, which means that he figured he was probably too far away from base to get caught.

Tom FukaiNOV. 19, 2012 - 06:47AM JST Ummm please there is alot more to his story, it was a harmeless incident that was blown up.

harmless.. unless it's right in your OWN front lawn.

i see many posters here won't call a spade a spade a spade a spade a sp....

U.S. Marine arrested for trespassing in Okinawa

"No more further questions, yer honor!"

I rest my case...

basroilNov. 19, 2012 - 04:30PM JST http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T121118003749.htm Still no change on the story.

That is an from an English publication, it's quite possible that it is not update as frequently as the Japanese ones.

The link I provided is from the Yomiuri Shimbun (Japanese), it was last updated at 12:53 pm.

But, here's another one that says basically the same thing. http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/videonews/jnn?a=20121119-00000024-jnn-soci (last updated 13:14)

Both these articles state the the LT in question has changed his earlier statement and admitted he was drinking and was in the wrong.

Im sorry basroil, Im not comprehending what exactly you are trying to defend here. Are you trying to state that it is okay, regardless of an individual being drunk or not, being threatening or not, sleeping on the bed or not, the inhabitants being home or not?

You were the one that stated he was asleep on the bed. I wasnt implying anything. I just said thank our lucky stars that she wasn't the bed regardless if he would have done anything or not

The hits just keep on coming.

aisaiNov. 19, 2012 - 04:03PM JST

Of course, the article does state that the LT's change of heart occurred during police questioning so it is possible that he was coerced into changing his statement. And, this is from the Japanese media too so it's possible that any information supporting the LT's story is conveniently being left out.

Usually both happen. The cops are notorious for having bad translations on top of denying legal counsel. So many issues can arise from misinterpretations, and the marines aren't exactly trained in diplomacy or talking in a way that is impossible for anyone that passes (the easy as hell) translation exams to miss.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T121118003749.htm

Still no change on the story.

According to this article on Yahoo!Japan (from the Yomiuri Shimbun), it now appears that arrested LT has now changed his statement and has admitted to being out drinking in violation of the curfew. It also appears that the LT has admitted that his statement about being invited to stay at friend's house was not entirely true.

That has to be disappointing to people who were hoping it was all a setup by the deceptive Okinawans against a poor US soldier intended to manipulate the Japan/US alliance or a just simple misunderstanding.

Reprint was a computer glitch. Please take off all but one.

I thought I was reading the same old news again. I thought at first the news item was printed again by accident. This Jarhead just can't follow military rules after all those incidents and whether or not he falls under the curfew order given to all personnel he will surely get Captains mass when he gets back to base. At 24, he probably was a 2nd Lt. and may have to wait sometime to make next rank. These guys have to keep their noses clean.

Doesn't matter, he was not arrested during curfew hours.

You're right, it doesn't matter. The damage has been done. Time to move on...until the next incident.

According to this article on Yahoo!Japan (from the Yomiuri Shimbun), it now appears that arrested LT has now changed his statement and has admitted to being out drinking in violation of the curfew. It also appears that the LT has admitted that his statement about being invited to stay at friend's house was not entirely true.

Of course, the article does state that the LT's change of heart occurred during police questioning so it is possible that he was coerced into changing his statement. And, this is from the Japanese media too so it's possible that any information supporting the LT's story is conveniently being left out.

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20121119-00000711-yom-soci

Even so, this man is an officer and officers are expected to exercise sound judgement and lead by example at all times. This officer had to have be fully aware of the bad feelings that many Okinawans have regarding the US military and how some recent actions by US military personnel have only served to inflame those feelings. Is this man a violent dangerous crimminal? No. But, there's no excuse for him not conducting himself appropriately. He should've have never allowed himself to get involved in any situation like this. He should've known better.

taro67Nov. 19, 2012 - 03:08PM JST

So, he was home until 5am and then went out to get drunk?

Doesn't matter, he was not arrested during curfew hours. In fact, there's nothing to state that he wasn't in that house since 11pm, all they have is a clearly varying account of how the woman found him there at 7:35 (first he walked in, then she found him asleep, and a few more variations). The cops also didn't say when the man was thought to have entered the house other than the woman's testimony (which has seemingly changed from walking in to simply being sleep when she found him).

They never even stated the man was drunk, rather that the man stated he had been drinking. Any suggestion that he was drunk is simply not supported by any articles.

TheDevilsAssistantNov. 19, 2012 - 03:37PM JST

Thank our lucky stars that she wasnt in the bed when he entered,

Newest reports don't even say that she was there when he entered. They only state when she found him at 7:35 she was inside the house.

taro67Nov. 19, 2012 - 03:46PM JST

Only drunk ones

No article states this man was drunk. So clearly you aren't talking about this article, right?

who violate the rights, persons, and property of Okinawa citizens

Under the laws of Japan, he is suspected of doing so until found guilty by trial. As of yet there is no trial date set, let alone a verdict. You should reserve your judgement until after the trial.

And what if it had not been an okinawan citizen? what if it had been a foreigner who lives there? What if it had been another serviceman? Would it then be perfectly fine in your eyes? This is a very xenophobic train of thought you have.

but also the people who defend the drunks simply because they are American soldiers.

Are you trying to insult posters that don't have the same opinions and convictions as you? That is against the rules here you know...

OK. I stand corrected. If this is true, then he wasn't in violation of the curfew.

Even so, isn't he still expected to set a better example for those he's responsible for? Does possessing a gold liberty card mean it's OK for an officer of the United States Marines to be so drunk at 0742 that he gets arrested by the local police?

Also since the curfew is only from 2300 to 0500, then that would seem to mean that this LT was either still so incredibly drunk from the night before (even after getting some sleep), drinking all night, or started drinking after 0500. This LT was not just typsy, he was so drunk that he wandered mistakenly into the wrong house and passed out. He was so drunk that he got arrested by the local police. Is that considered conduct befitting an officer of the US military? How is that defensible

Not defendable at all. I haven't stated that he did no wrong. Only stating facts about curfew.

Just for those that do not know, curfew is from 11pm to 5am. It is for all SOFA status personnel. Military active duty, dependants, civilian workers, contractors. You can be off base in someone's home during curfew hours.

Oh, really? (rolls eyes)

basroil, Am I making things up?

What I do know is her state of mind was not in a state of welcoming this stranger into her house. Would anyone?

Thank our lucky stars that she wasnt in the bed when he entered, regardless if he would have done something or not.

All active duty do indeed fall under the curfew. Red liberty card holders must check their red card into the duty each night by 2300. Gold card holders do not. So a gold card holder could in fact go to someone's home off base, and stay there for the duration of the curfew, and be within regulations.

Bad SanjusangendoNov. 19, 2012 - 03:17PM JST Also, everyone is saying he broke curfew. He was arrested at 0742. Yomiuri news says he entered the home at 0735. That is way after curfew. There has been nothing reported about this Marine being out in town between the hours of 2300 and 0500. You can in fact be in someone's home during curfew hours if you are a gold liberty card holder, which this Marine was

OK. I stand corrected. If this is true, then he wasn't in violation of the curfew.

Even so, isn't he still expected to set a better example for those he's responsible for? Does possessing a gold liberty card mean it's OK for an officer of the United States Marines to be so drunk at 0742 that he gets arrested by the local police?

Also since the curfew is only from 2300 to 0500, then that would seem to mean that this LT was either still so incredibly drunk from the night before (even after getting some sleep), drinking all night, or started drinking after 0500. This LT was not just typsy, he was so drunk that he wandered mistakenly into the wrong house and passed out. He was so drunk that he got arrested by the local police. Is that considered conduct befitting an officer of the US military? How is that defensible?

Just for those that do not know, curfew is from 11pm to 5am. It is for all SOFA status personnel. Military active duty, dependants, civilian workers, contractors.

You can be off base in someone's home during curfew hours. You can drink during curfew hours. You just cannot be out roaming the streets or in any establishment of any kind.

. You can in fact be in someone's home during curfew hours if you are a gold liberty card holder

Im under the impression that all active duty fall under the curfew

Sanjusangendo Nov. 19, 2012 - 03:17PM JST

Stunning! The police got there within 7 minutes after the drunk soldier walked through the door. And the drunk soldier fell asleep within 7 minutes of walking through the door. Curfew aside, this tells us that the police were quick to respond (kudos to them) and that the drunk soldier was, indeed, a drunk (and sleepy) soldier. Still, none of that matters at this point as it concerns Okinawa's view of the US military.

Also, everyone is saying he broke curfew. He was arrested at 0742. Yomiuri news says he entered the home at 0735. That is way after curfew. There has been nothing reported about this Marine being out in town between the hours of 2300 and 0500. You can in fact be in someone's home during curfew hours if you are a gold liberty card holder, which this Marine was.

He's not stationed on Futenman, he is stationed on Foster. Get your facts straight before you post a story. He lives on Futenma. He has nothing to do with Ospreys.

According to yomiuri newspaper, the incident occured at 7:35am.

So, he was home until 5am and then went out to get drunk? Again, you scratch out minor points and stretch credibility expecting to defend something that has already made its impact on the public and the relationship between Okinawa and the US military. It's a waste of time and I'm done.

Anyone that has lived on Okinawa for any length of time KNOWS that it is VERY easy to turned around and miss directions with the manner the streets are laid out, and the apartment buildings and houses that look alike.

I've never been there so I'll take your word on this.

But even so, is there really any good excuse for being out and about late at night, so under the influence of alcohol that you're not really able to function properly, wandering around and guessing (hoping?) that you're entering the correct civilian residence?

Given recent events and the over all distrust that some Okinawans seem to have for the US military, you'd think that this person, an officer none the less, would have known better to avoid any situation at all that might possibly further incite things. I'd imagine that this officer spent quite a bit of his time recently instructing his subordinates about their responsibilites as not only soldiers but also as on-the-ground ambassadors of the US. Most likely he stressed over and over again the seriousness of getting caught out past curfew and the need to avoid any possibly negative situations with the locals at all costs. Therefore, it is really hard to feel sorry for him, whether he is be unjustly crucified by the local media or not.

This LT may have gotten some bad news from home, or had some other personal reasons for getting all s---faced, but even so he is still an officer and, therefore, is expected to act accordingly and appropriately at all times. He is expected to lead by example. He's not expected to violate a curfew established by his superiors (even if he thinks it's unfair) , get publically drunk and enter strangers' houses and pass out on their beds, regardless of whether he was invited or not. He's expected to be so much better than that.

taro67Nov. 19, 2012 - 02:44PM JST

The point is the soldier was drunk and in another person's home uninvited while defying a direct order for curfew.

You sure don't read. According to yomiuri newspaper, the incident occured at 7:35am. The curfew is from 11pm to 5am, so unless you somehow make the rules, this man broke no military curfew.

basroil Nov. 19, 2012 - 02:35PM JST

You sure don't give up easily. The point is the soldier was drunk and in another person's home uninvited while defying a direct order for curfew. It was wrong and it gives the US military yet another black eye. The minutia you trot out does nothing to mitigate this situation in the eyes of Okinawans and, most likely, the US State and Defense Departments. Lawyers and prosecutors can hash out the legal ramifications, but the damage to the US reputation on Okinawa has been done. Deal with it.

TheDevilsAssistantNov. 19, 2012 - 02:11PM JST

But she called someone...because she felt threatened. You cannot deny that she did feel violated or else she just would have went back to bed, or just kept stepping over him until he woke up

Now you're making things up!

1) You don't know the woman's state of mind, it hasn't been stated anywhere. We do know she didn't consider this a life-or-death situation though, as there's no reporting to that effect, and media sensationalists would instantly jump on an opportunity to report that.

2) She was reported as not asleep, she was awake waiting for the guy who lived in the apartment to return. We don't know if she was actually in the room before or after the soldier had entered.

3) He wasn't passed out at the entrance or anything. He was asleep on a bed in the bedroom when cops arrived, and unless this woman was incredibly strong and caring enough to move him (in which case she wouldn't have been scared in the least bit), we can assume that he was in the bed without any assistance.

If my daughter had left the door open on purpose, I would have downright smacked her over the head for being an idiot.

Because? Because she would be threatened if a stranger would have peacefully entered her home and quietly fell asleep.

This woman never called the cops, she called the resident of the apartment, and HE called the cops:

But she called someone...because she felt threatened. You cannot deny that she did feel violated or else she just would have went back to bed, or just kept stepping over him until he woke up

If my daughter had left the door open on purpose, I would have downright smacked her over the head for being an idiot. It doesn't matter how peaceful a place seems, you should always follow prudent safety measures.

Poor girl. I guess that teenager from a couple of weeks ago still deserves a beating along with the girlfriend from this incident. But the drunk soldiers? Oh, that's no big deal, right?

BertieWoosterNov. 19, 2012 - 01:32PM JST

She obviously felt danger or she wouldn't have called the police.

You mean to say "She obviously did not felt danger or she would have called the police.

This woman never called the cops, she called the resident of the apartment, and HE called the cops:

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T121118003749.htm

Interestingly, the cops said that the person discovered the guy AFTER he was asleep, and continued to be asleep until cops came.

taro67Nov. 19, 2012 - 01:46PM JST

As for your no harm, no foul approach, do you expect anyone to believe that you would feel the same if your daughter was the only one home?

If my daughter had left the door open on purpose, I would have downright smacked her over the head for being an idiot. It doesn't matter how peaceful a place seems, you should always follow prudent safety measures.

It actually makes mountains of difference.

Actually, given the tense situation in Okinawa, it is a distinction without a difference from the standpoint of the community vs. the military. But, you are sure to not recognize that.

As for your no harm, no foul approach, do you expect anyone to believe that you would feel the same if your daughter was the only one home?

Yubaru-san,

Maybe your suggestion of locking down the bases is a good one:

They could lockdown the bases.

That's one way to reduce the incidents of this kind of crime.

At no point was anyone in any danger, nor should they have felt any danger.

What? How can you not feel threatened by finding a stranger in your own home? As someone mentioned earlier, if he did this in the US, he probably would have been shot.

Taro67-san,

You said it!

I guess it is difficult to find Utopia when life's ugly reality is present.

Right on!

bas,

At no point was anyone in any danger, nor should they have felt any danger.

How can you say that?

The article clearly states:

However, he entered the home of a restaurant worker, surprising the owner's girlfriend who was there at the time and who called for help.

She obviously felt danger or she wouldn't have called the police.

Borhan UddinNov. 19, 2012 - 01:01PM JST

Always u.s. solider breaking international law.

This soldier broke no international laws nor is accused of any such thing.

taro67Nov. 19, 2012 - 01:06PM JST

It makes no difference.

It actually makes mountains of difference. Breaking and entering would get him high penalties, perhaps a few years in jail. Trespassing is a slap on the wrist usually, maybe a fine at most. Trespassing is considered more of a nuisance than anything else.

At no point was anyone in any danger, nor should they have felt any danger.

This man at no time committed breaking and entering, and at most is suspected of illegal trespassing. In fact, the article headline even states it, and the article made sure to state he never broke into anything, nor thought to have committed other crimes.

Again, you are just nit-picking. Here, I'll correct my statement to fit your criteria.

LOL. Perhaps a better show of pride of service would be not to break curfew, get drunk and trespass in people's home.

It makes no difference. The guy did wrong. You would not condone it if a foreign drunk man walked into your house while your daughter or wife was there alone. Anyone would feel threatened. You are attempting to defend the indefensible.

Always u.s. solider breaking international law. but it is so sad no hard action never taken for this rapist. so for that reason same incident happen again & again.

BertieWoosterNov. 19, 2012 - 12:25PM JST

No one said anything about breaking and entering.

The guy walked into someone's house/apartment. And Taro67-san asked you if you thought this was a crime or not. You didn't answer his question and went on about trespassing and breaking and entering.

Britie, you like to completely skip common sense and attack posts without understanding what they are referring to. taro did in fact state breaking and entering:

taro67Nov. 19, 2012 - 10:40AM JST

LOL. Perhaps a better show of pride of service would be not to break curfew, get drunk and break into people's home. Start there, we'll work on the wordplay later.

This man at no time committed breaking and entering, and at most is suspected of illegal trespassing. In fact, the article headline even states it, and the article made sure to state he never broke into anything, nor thought to have committed other crimes.

How about someone setting up a media outlet that serves up only positive news about the US military on Okinawa.

Try Stars and Stripes, the Marines Corps Times or any of the media relations offices attached to the US military. Oh, wait...they also publish stories about the Osprey opposition and these incidents/crimes. I guess it is difficult to find Utopia when life's ugly reality is present.

How about someone setting up a media outlet that serves up only positive news about the US military on Okinawa. Just pure n simple nice news. Someone above mentioned a Special Olympics...instead of just letting this not hit the news someone should find a way to get it out there!

edited....by itself

It was put in place at the request of the okinawans, so the only illogical thing here is your insistence that they have nothing to do with it.

No it wasnt, and they have nothing to do with it being started other than by requesting the military take action to control it's people.

The curfew was instituted by the Military all be itself.

bas,

Taro67 wrote:

So you do not think it a crime to walk into someones house simply because you find the door unlocked?

And you replied:

It's not "breaking and entering". It's simply called trespassing.

No one said anything about breaking and entering.

The guy walked into someone's house/apartment. And Taro67-san asked you if you thought this was a crime or not. You didn't answer his question and went on about trespassing and breaking and entering.

He "entered the owner's land or property without permission," and so, as you say, he trespassed. This is a crime, though how much of a crime is another issue. Taro67 did not say or imply that the guy was breaking and entering - that would be a much more serious crime, as it implies theft as the intent.

And you and many others posting here are quite right in that if this is all there is about it, it's no big deal.

At other times, it would probably be forgotten. But now, coming after a rape and another drunken rampage, when the anti-US base sentiment is mounting, it doesn't do any good for the PR of US military here.

And the fact that it was an officer, who should be setting a good example to his men, makes it far worse, whether it was a genuine mistake or not. That he was drunk when he entered the apartment tends to suggest that he was so far gone that he didn't know where he was. Although that may or may not be true.

I'm sure his superiors are not taking this lightly.

It was put in place at the request of the okinawans

I believe it was put in place because the Americans rightly determined that these acts were not making them any friends in Okinawa and wanted to make a show of good will. Apparently, given these last two drunken soldier incidents, it was only an show of good will.

basroil, the CURFEW was not put in place at the request of the Okinawans. It was put in place by the military

darknutsNov. 19, 2012 - 11:47AM JST

I can not understand the logic of anyone who believes that Japanese people have any responsibility to enforce the curfew. With that logic then, it's the RIGHT and DUTY of Japanese people when on base, to enforce military regulations and US laws as well. That's bs, and nobody would do it nor accept it anyway.

It was put in place at the request of the okinawans, so the only illogical thing here is your insistence that they have nothing to do with it.

This seems to be a case of an incident directly caused by the curfew. If he didn't need to go indoors he would have just partied til the morning and nobody would have said anything.

The military cant enforce the curfew by itself and you know it.

Edited to add....

Yes the military can. It's a matter of practicality that they don't. They could lockdown the bases.

I even stated that. I'm saying that if the okinawans are complaining about people breaking curfew then they should voluntarily help to enforce it.

And I am saying that NO they don't have to, if they WANT to that is purely a matter of choice. Plus it seems to me that you are lumping them all, Okinawans/Japanese together and thinking that they all care or should care about it.

Otherwise leave it alone.

They do, but you dont seem to understand that because all you read is the garbage that comes out in the local media.

The military cant enforce the curfew by itself and you know it.

darknuts, why would and should an Okinawan help to enforce the curfew. One did a few weeks ago and you heard what happened.

The Japanese didn't institute the curfew, the US Military did as a response to incidents that a few military folks were involved in.

I can not understand the logic of anyone who believes that Japanese people have any responsibility to enforce the curfew. With that logic then, it's the RIGHT and DUTY of Japanese people when on base, to enforce military regulations and US laws as well. That's bs, and nobody would do it nor accept it anyway.

It's a childish attempt as I see it to move responsibility of the incident to the Japanese people and make them take the blame, partial or otherwise, for the military personnel who don't follow their own rules or regulations.

As always you side stepped my point and instilled your own logic. I'm not saying the okinawans are responsible for enforcing the curfew. I even stated that. I'm saying that if the okinawans are complaining about people breaking curfew then they should voluntarily help to enforce it. Otherwise leave it alone. The military cant enforce the curfew by itself and you know it. It's symbolic at best, a joke at worst. Every service member knows they can stay out and drink as late as they want as long as they don't get picked up for something stupid.

In the US, people are smart enough to lock their doors, which means people need to break in, and trespassing is reserved for lawns.

No, they are fearful enough to do it. A smart person would want to live in a place where people had respect for private property and had no reason to fear another trespassing for any reason. Anyway, you're simply nit-picking about unlocked doors and legal definitions. It's simply a wrong act and you should acknowledge that.

taro67Nov. 19, 2012 - 10:58AM JST

So you do not think it a crime to walk into someones house simply because you find the door unlocked?

It's not "breaking and entering". It's simply called trespassing, which has a different legal definition and cannot carry the connotations you added. In the US, people are smart enough to lock their doors, which means people need to break in, and trespassing is reserved for lawns.

TheDevilsAssistantNov. 19, 2012 - 10:59AM JST

not that I agree or disagree with Mr. Woosters idea, but the phrase of trampling on human rights???

Yes, trampling on the human right of not being discriminated against simply based on your race, nationality, or profession. Theses are declared human right in the eyes of the international community, and Japan is a signing member.

Oh and he isn't a soldier, he's a Marine. To those who were and those that are, it's a HUGE difference.

Oh boy! I love it when this misconception is propagated... did your DI tell you that? or was it the squad commander as the pointed up the hill at the machine gun nest and said, "its your turn boy!" The only thing special about being a Marine is the Kool-Aid they get fed.

Hey Bertie, wake up! All the details are not clear and fully available. Also, all he did was walk into a house and fell asleep and is "believed" to have broken the curfew.

What you are suggesting is racism, discrimination, and trampling on human rights.

hmmmm...not that I agree or disagree with Mr. Woosters idea, but the phrase of trampling on human rights???

You would think that the rape, the punch to the kids face and this act of trespassing would fit trampling on human rights ...wouldn't it?

1) He did not break curfew intentionally,

I'm sure his CO will use that excuse when he reports to his CO.

Nothing illegal or immoral about getting drunk.

Immorality is a personal judgement. Being drunk while committing of a crime aggravates the act, not excuses it.

To break into a home you must make an attempt to undo security measures.

So you do not think it a crime to walk into someones house simply because you find the door unlocked? Just because Americans are afraid of home invasion, B&E's, robbery, their neighbors, and the growing disrespect for personal property does not mean that all societies do. Is your home a prison? If you forget and leave your door unlocked, what would you think about finding someone in it when you got home?

taro67Nov. 19, 2012 - 10:40AM JST

Perhaps a better show of pride of service would be not to break curfew, get drunk and break into people's home.

1) He did not break curfew intentionally, as curfew simply says indoors at a certain time. He does not need to be at base, and if indeed the woman at the bar let him use her place, then it satisfies curfew.

2) Nothing illegal or immoral about getting drunk. If there was, Fridays from 6pm until monday morning would be illegal and immoral for a good chunk of the Japanese population.

3) To break into a home you must make an attempt to undo security measures. The door was unlocked, so the most he can be considered doing is trespassing.

You might not like word games, but do understand that the english language has some quirks that can make your words completely incorrect.

Because it's in bad taste and incorrect as well.

LOL. Perhaps a better show of pride of service would be not to break curfew, get drunk and break into people's home. Start there, we'll work on the wordplay later.

Does this kind of thing happen regularly on Okinawa? Is the media just smelling blood in the water and reporting all and everything? I would like to hear some positive news for a change instead of inflammatory finger pointing.

No it doesnt happen "regularly" and yes it's just the media over-hyping a miniscule mishap. And with the media here that's quite typical.

Positive news is NOT something anyone will EVER see some out of the local media in Okinawa. This past weekend Kadena held the annual Special Olympics and the over-whelming majority of participants were Japanese Special needs athletes. Kadena, bent over backward, as they always do for this and other events BUT not a peep about it in the media.

Sad but true fact of life in Okinawa.

sidesmileNov. 19, 2012 - 10:30AM JST

Does this kind of thing happen regularly on Okinawa?

Just look at early posts, it's quite common actually.

Is the media just smelling blood in the water and reporting all and everything?

Not really this time, they saw a shadow above and slit their wrists and then said there was blood in the water.

I would like to hear some positive news for a change instead of inflammatory finger pointing. Something like "Marine helps child cross the street" or "Airperson wipes up spilled coffee in McDonalds".

It happens all the time everywhere except in Okinawa, and goes entirely unreported. In okinawa, "Marine helps child cross the street" would be filed under ""Marine arrested for attempted kidnapping".

Something is certainly suspicious about this whole incident.

Yes, many were saying the same thing about the rape last month and the teen getting beat up days ago. But, it turns out, the stories were correct for the most part. However, calling something suspicious is a good way to try to stifle concern about it.

Personally, I believe there is something suspicious about the supposed crackdown and curfew by the military brass to which at least some in the military pay no heed. That seems really suspicious.

Why would you correct this comment from someone not in the service who has no reason to know it much less care about it?

Because it's in bad taste and incorrect as well.

Does this kind of thing happen regularly on Okinawa? Is the media just smelling blood in the water and reporting all and everything? I would like to hear some positive news for a change instead of inflammatory finger pointing. Something like "Marine helps child cross the street" or "Airperson wipes up spilled coffee in McDonalds". Instead we can expect "Elderly woman drops dead from shock after US soldier lets her jump the queue. Police suspect she was raped, punched in the face and had her TV smashed."

Oh and he isn't a soldier, he's a Marine. To those who were and those that are, it's a HUGE difference.

Who cares except those in the service? Why would you correct this comment from someone not in the service who has no reason to know it much less care about it?

Something is certainly suspicious about this whole incident. Too many unanswered questions and too many strange happenings.

BertieWoosterNov. 19, 2012 - 09:19AM JST

Yuri-san,

Perhaps you misunderstood me.

My suggestion was that Okinawans, on their own initiative, refuse to serve ALL US servicemen.

That would solve the problem of US servicemen getting drunk and doing terrible things.

A similar thing happened in Sapporo.

The world cup (soccer) was held there. At the time, there was a lot of talk of hooliganism. Seven thousand policemen were sent from Honshu and no bars would serve foreigners. You couldn't get a drink anywhere

What you are suggesting is racism, discrimination, and trampling on human rights. In fact, if you start with bars, next go other shops, and eventually people will be entirely segregated and perhaps even unable to purchase basic goods including food.

South Africa learned the hard way to go against racism and segregation, do you wish to see Japan fall under international sanctions and a threat of civil war too? Doing as you ask is in clear violation of international laws Japan is part of, and sanctions can be made if necessary.

Sapporo wasn't just bars, it was everything including public baths and even restaurants.

Below are two things you should read before you continue your racist ways:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20050104zg.html

http://www.debito.org/roguesgallery.html

And yes, you can see exactly what happens to racist shops, they get so much lower revenues they end up having to close entirely.

But seriously? Crashing there after realizing you're at some random person's house?

And how was he supposed to know differently? The woman at the club he was at offered her place for him to sleep it off and it's safe to assume that he didn't know where it was as he went to the wrong apartment. Logic says he's would be at some "random" house anyway.

Oh and he isn't a soldier, he's a Marine. To those who were and those that are, it's a HUGE difference.

I can almost forgive the guy if he truly made a mistake. Almost. But seriously? Crashing there after realizing you're at some random person's house? Time to pack your bags, soldier.

I was not suggesting that we obey American commands. My suggestion was that Okinawans, on their own initiative, refuse to serve ALL US servicemen.

Do you actually believe what you are posting here? Take your idea the next logical step, and consider this, next YOU will be the one not being served or allowed into an establishment anywhere either.

Can't tell the difference between who is military and who isn't so don't let any foreigners in to your estalishment.

And Bertie what is to stop them from refusing to serve anyone that doesn't look Japanese then? Seriously. discrimination doesn't work and will only deepen the rift. And to address your comments above, I have plenty of friends and contacts in Okinawa too that don't mind the military there. And oh, yeah I live in Japan.

He "promptly fell asleep"...haha! A narcoleptic reaction to making him jump? He creeps in thinking hes getting laid..lights go on, unknown girl screams, dude claps his pants and "promptly" falls asleep! Yep. Im calling framed on this one.

Yuri-san,

Perhaps you misunderstood me.

I was not suggesting that we obey American commands. My suggestion was that Okinawans, on their own initiative, refuse to serve ALL US servicemen.

That would solve the problem of US servicemen getting drunk and doing terrible things.

A similar thing happened in Sapporo.

The world cup (soccer) was held there. At the time, there was a lot of talk of hooliganism. Seven thousand policemen were sent from Honshu and no bars would serve foreigners. You couldn't get a drink anywhere.

I think Okinawan bar owners should do this in Okinawa.

Yuri: that's actually the point I'm trying to make...

Why don't they put signs at the entrances to bars and liquor shops that say, "Off Limits to US Military Personnel" and refuse to serve them?

Obviously you don't realize what you are suggesting here. There was a time when "A" signed establishments were the only places US Military were allowed to legally enter. You do not want to go back to that discriminatory practice.

What may happen and what I will bet my next paycheck on is that the military is considering another lockdown.

Of all the posts on this subject, I do not remember hearing not one poster, say this is the fault of the Okinawans. That is exactly what some Okinawan people do to make the incident as small as it may seem, look bigger.

Read closer and you'll see the posts comment about the people that served him as holding some type of responsibility for an adult breaking the curfew.

As it has been said above, you do somewhat bear responsibility when you continue to serve military members that are out past curfew and visibly have had too much to drink

And as I will continue to say no I don't nor do the Japanese that serve them either. If you are old enough to drink, you are old enough to be responsible for yourself, no matter where you are. I nor any Japanese person off base hold any responsibilty for this or any other acts commited by a military member.

So when on base, whose laws do you think you are under? The JP's cannot just come on base and patrol or apprehend someone at .will.

Did you read what I wrote? Go back and check it out again. Of course they can't, but the logic of the people suggesting that Japanese off base should be held responsible or should cooperate with the military in enforcing the curfew are way off the reservation.

Bertie most people I know would refuse to put up the signs and refuse to follow the Americans command. There is nothing they can do to make us obey.

"There are a few posters, including your good self, who try to downplay this incident,..."

As opposed to posters overplaying it?

Thomas Haynes-san,

Quit over-serving customers, it's really that simple. If they come into your bar already drunk, deny them service. If they try to buy more booze at a store and are already drunk, deny them service.

Your post gives me an idea.

Why don't they put signs at the entrances to bars and liquor shops that say, "Off Limits to US Military Personnel" and refuse to serve them?

That would solve the problem of drunken servicemen doing things they would regret later and it would get the message across that they are unwanted here.

brknarm2012 there is no legal reason for an Okinawa bar to honor the curfew. In fact having to obey American regulations is from the bad old days. The base rules do not apply to Non Sofa including military retirees. Their rules do not apply to me. Once apron a time we all had to follow their commands. So not obeying their commands is expressing our independence from them. The ideal we have to follow their orders is repulsive.

I still maintain a residence on Okinawa, pay taxes. Think of my being in the US as a trip. Also need to go home to vote.

I can understand wanting an establishment to honor the curfew, but how are they to know that the customer is active duty? Most places do not have English speakers and likely cannot recognize an active duty ID from a retired or civilian ID (unless I'm mistaken, the curfew does not apply). Even if a service member was drinking off base...and he/she says they are not military, what do you expect the employee/owner to do?

Yuri, there is no recovery for him, they need to burn his young ass, to set an example. Not just for enlisted, but officers also.

Well said Chubaka. Yes, although this is a pretty insignificant story in this environment its just adding fuel to the forest fire pushing it that much closer to burning out of control.

I have noticed though that the negative opinions of military presence are those that don't even live in Japan. That doesn't make them wrong, but it is my opinion that if you have an opinion of somewhere you aren't and it is as passionate as some of you seem to have, that you are expressing some personal agenda and can't objectively look at the situation.

Hope he is not punished too harshly, he is young and can overcome his mistake.

Have learned in America it is thought to be "disgusting" to drink to the point of being drunk. You can be arrested for being drunk in public. Unlike in Japan where someone who drank too much is seen as having a good time. I do believe he will be non news very soon.

@Yubaru "I can not understand the logic of anyone who believes that Japanese people have any responsibility to enforce the curfew. With that logic then, it's the RIGHT and DUTY of Japanese people when on base, to enforce military regulations and US laws as well. That's bs, and nobody would do it nor accept it anyway."

"It's a childish attempt as I see it to move responsibility of the incident to the Japanese people and make them take the blame, partial or otherwise, for the military personnel who don't follow their own rules or regulations."

As it has been said above, you do somewhat bear responsibility when you continue to serve military members that are out past curfew and visibly have had too much to drink. Don't complain about them doing something when you are contributing to their stupid decisions by serving them more alcohol so you can make a buck. Also as it has been said it is probably in the best interest of the bar owner to not serve military members after curfew to avoid being put on the off-limits establishments list.

So when on base, whose laws do you think you are under? The JP's cannot just come on base and patrol or apprehend someone at .will. There is a reason for that. When a japanese/okinawan person gets an ID card, I am pretty sure they sign that they understand they are getting this ID card with the knowledge that there are certain military regulations and orders that they will follow. Just as well, when signing someone on base, the escort knows that their visitor breaking military regulations and U.S. laws will get them as well as their visitor in trouble (for example, going to the flightline to take pics of the jets, among others. But I guess you are right no one would accept those rules, that is why so many Japanese/Okinawans get in trouble on base and it goes unheard.

Of all the posts on this subject, I do not remember hearing not one poster, say this is the fault of the Okinawans. That is exactly what some Okinawan people do to make the incident as small as it may seem, look bigger. I dont understand how having Japanese relatives and friends makes you have Anti-American sentiment. Most of us here have Japanese/Okinawan relatives, but I think for myself, I tend to not let myself be swayed to someone elses thinking just because they are family.

I am also pretty sure not every Okinawan feels that way. There were close to a thousand Okinawan family members and kids on Kadena over the weekend for the Kadena Special Olympics. What are their feelings about the base?

Chub,this was a minor incident, usually handled at the bn lvl, but given the fact of timing, and that he was an O, who broke curfew,he will be cruxifed. If the CG doesnt order a Court Martial. He will not be transfered...legal hold, and more than likely the CG and MARPAC CG are not into forgiveness, for O,SNCOs or anyone at this pont. I do agree with your statement.

Tom - It's possible, but the news article doesn't specify. It just said he was arrested on Sunday, not that the incident happened on Sunday. If you have some personal knowledge though, please let us know.

Hey bored it happened this past weekend sunday morning to be exact

Very interesting. I heard about this at lunch (on Yokosuka Base) last Wednesday, but couldn't find anything on it on any news sites. When I couldn't find anything on it, I figured it was just crap from the rumor mill. I wonder if the fact that this punk was an officer had anything to do with how long it took the news to break? As far as this being some kind of setup, I don't buy it. Even if it was, do you regularly just go walking into people houses? And don't try to tell me this is some kind of cultural difference. If this drunk idiot when barging into a strangers house in the U.S. he probably would have been shot.

As both a long term combat arms vet and having served in Okinawa, I think we can be assured that the immediate and command superiors of this commissioned Marine do not consider this incident "insignificant." In light of all the bad pub US servicemen are receiving in recent months in Okinawa, this is an embarrassment both to his unit and US authorities in Japan at a sensitive time. Of course the J-media and some Okinawans will capitalize and use to their benefit.

Marine officers are expected to lead by example in all situations. Posters sem to be looking at this incident thru an enlisted man's eyes--Officers are held to a higher standard and this fool will be lucky to keep his commission, let alone stay in Japan. Hope he enjoys his transfer to Herat....

Ummm please there is alot more to his story, it was a harmeless incident that was blown up.

Because I have Okinawan connections, friends and relatives. Surely you had worked that out?

That still doesn't make yo Okinawan nor a representative for their views nor does that mean your connections are native Okinawan's to begin with.

I would have thought the whiners were those who tried to make antisocial acts committed by US servicemen seem insignificant.

This simple trespassing clearly is insignificant. You can't show there was malice intend behind it nor was any property damaged nor was any human hurt and considering the fact that the US military crime rate is lower than the native Okinawan crime rate that would suggest that Okinawa has a major crime issue among its own native population if it considers this to be anything more than insignificant.

Yuri,

You say "we the Okinawa people" like you live there. yet you do not even live on Okinawa, you live of all places in the US. that's hilarious

He is stationed at MCAS Futenma so perhaps he flies the Osprey?

Odds of this are slim, besides it's off topic anyway. Doesnt matter what he does for a job, it's what he did off the job.

If the local community and police are not willing to aid the military in enforcing the curfew then it simply cannot be enforced. What's to stop someone from staying off base after curfew and coming back in the morning when the curfew is over. What about the people who live off base? This curfew is a joke! .........

The Japanese didn't institute the curfew, the US Military did as a response to incidents that a few military folks were involved in.

I can not understand the logic of anyone who believes that Japanese people have any responsibility to enforce the curfew. With that logic then, it's the RIGHT and DUTY of Japanese people when on base, to enforce military regulations and US laws as well. That's bs, and nobody would do it nor accept it anyway.

It's a childish attempt as I see it to move responsibility of the incident to the Japanese people and make them take the blame, partial or otherwise, for the military personnel who don't follow their own rules or regulations.

Thomas it is not within our law to make decisions for adults. He is an officer in the US military and an adult. If he can not be trusted to regulate the amount he drinks, how can he be trusted to lead soldiers? He is stationed at MCAS Futenma so perhaps he flies the Osprey? The US can not explain this away with their usual and saying that am only so upset. So Thomas why should we the Okinawa people make decisions for mature US adults?

For a country so hung up on politcal correctness, US sure has a bunch of naive inhabitants; not to mention a few absolute morons with very little self control and/or common sense.

Quit over-serving customers, it's really that simple. If they come into your bar already drunk, deny them service. If they try to buy more booze at a store and are already drunk, deny them service.

What's up with American servicemen going completely nuts when stationed in Okinawa? It seems like they are unable to control themselves more so than any other foreign post.

mpoki the curfew is an American regulation and not Japanese law. The people of Okinawa are not responsible for either upholding these base regulations or following these base regulations. The days when the USA controlled Okinawa are suppose to be done. However so many of the posters here are blaming the Okinawa people instead of the trespassing drunk Americans.

Smith the base regulations are not US law but military orders. So the US General makes a command and we the people of Okinawa most obey?

jessebaybay: "That being said... all the cases that I know of don't involve military soliders who also have a curfew... guess these guys just dont get it?? Is it that hard to follow orders.. don't be out past a certain time."

You're exactly right, but then that's part of the problem -- creating a law creates criminals, literally, where even yourself you state it happens normally with all sorts of people. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just trying to point out that what happened in this particular case is not a huge deal, and while the military members should perhaps have stricter guidelines I don't think this is grounds for anyone being lynched or for the media here to go ballistic.

honestly... not that hard to do when drunk.. Seen it happen a lot.. had it happen to my own house once. People come home drunk, all the apartments look the same.. pass out somewhere.

That being said... all the cases that I know of don't involve military soliders who also have a curfew... guess these guys just dont get it?? Is it that hard to follow orders.. don't be out past a certain time.

wow !!!! How stupid can you be ?

Yubaru: "You are EXACTLY saying that the off base establishments have a responsibility to enforce military regulations"

If the local authorities are going to be whining and charging, or demanding they be allowed to charge, US military personnel for incidents that occur in they area they most certainly DO have a responsibility to enforce things. They can't serve the guy drinks then turn around and complain about him drinking after hours (and complain about ALL US military presence as a result).

Anyway, at least no harm besides surprise came out of this incident. The persecution is well above what it should be given that nothing happened, and Bernie you've been called out on the whole 'damage control' nonsense as this is getting far more media time than it deserves.

USNinjapan2-san,

Aren't you jumping the gun?

Possibly.

I wonder what the base commander would answer to this question?

Even though they haven't been hung, drawn and quartered yet, the PR damage has been done and it has EVERYONE looking at Okinawa.

Try doing a Google search for some of the recent news stories you mention. You'll find these events splashed across newsprint all over the world.

I want to see an article on how the U.S. military has kept Japan out of trouble for the past 67 years.

unequivocallyobservingjapan-san,

Interesting how some in japan whine about the U.S. bases in japan

Interesting how you refer to this as whining.

I would have thought the whiners were those who tried to make antisocial acts committed by US servicemen seem insignificant.

In England the tone toward U.S. bases is virtually mute.

Is it?

It didn't used to be. When I was a kid, almost every available wall had "Yanks go home!"" sprayed across it.

It worked, by the way. A very large number had to leave.

On the other hand, if it is as you say, I would like to point out some of the myriad differences:

English and American people speak (roughly) the same language and have a similar culture. They understand each other far better than Okinawans and Americans. There are very few Okinawans who speak English well enough to have a conversation or discussion and even fewer US servicemen who can do this in Japanese. The cultures are about as different as it's possible to get.

The percentage of US servicemen against the population of the U.K. and the size of the US bases there are very small. There are too many US servicemen on this small island and they use far too much space.

What could the inference be? Trespassing is such a minor incident yet some try to blow it up to be way much more than it should be.

It doesn't seem like a big deal, does it?

But nor did the weight of a single straw on the proverbial back of a camel.

In other words, it's not just this, it's the all the stuff that preceded it.

You have to take that into account or it doesn't make sense.

To avoid these types of incidents, remove US Military bases in Japan. Okinawans will be so happy to see them go. Japan can save the money used in helping USA maintaining those bases. There is no war going on in Asia. And if ever there will be, let Japan defend their country. If USA really need Okinawa for strategic purposes, th same reason why they don't want to leave their US Military bases in the Philippines, they should pay rent for the use of the land same as what they pay the Philippines Air and Naval Bases then. Until a hugh volcanic eruption (Mount Pinatubo) and hurriedly they left. STRATEGIC reasons my foot. ;)

bas,

Why are you speaking for the okinawans when you are a self declared british citizen?

Because I have Okinawan connections, friends and relatives.

Surely you had worked that out?

And by talking with these connections, friends and relatives, I find the anti-US base sentiments that you seem so unwilling to accept.

A recent Asahi Newspaper survey found that 49 percent of Okinawan residents want the number of U.S. bases to be drastically reduced AND that 37 percent wanted the bases to be be removed completely.

Believe me, they don't want the bases here.

If you listened to them, you would find this out.

BertieWooster

Why do you repeatedly refer to the recent incidents on Okinawa involving US servicemembers, particularly the alleged sexual assault in October by the two Texas-based Reservists, as if their respective investigations have been concluded and they've bee prosecuted and found guilty? Aren't you jumping the gun?

" Those at Camp Zama, Yokota, Yokosuka, Misawa, etc don't seem to have the same issues as Okinawa. "

The issues are some of the locals who intentionally make trouble for the military personnel.

Granted some of the lads don't make it easy for themselves either but to be fair and honest some of the boys feel like they are walking on eggshells in fear of mystically doing something wrong. All it takes is for one local to cry wolf and the j-media come-a-runnin.

Alcohol isn't going to be banned for service members in Japan. It might be banned for those in Okinawa, definitely not all of Japan. Those at Camp Zama, Yokota, Yokosuka, Misawa, etc don't seem to have the same issues as Okinawa. That's why these incidents never affect those areas. Curfews, they always say for Japan, but it's really only for Okinawa.

@mpoki

While bars/clubs can do whatever they want, they do maintain curfew also. Usually telling customers with curfews to head back towards base/their apt/etc. before they break it. At least have them get out of their bar/club. It is within their best interests to not be caught with military members within their facilities, as this can end up putting them on the military's prohibited establishments list.

From there, no military member would be allowed to go to their facility and that's a big loss of money. Now those bars/clubs that are further away from the bases and don't get many Americans going there, than they are less likely to care who is in their establishment at any given time.

Interesting how some in japan whine about the U.S. bases in japan and in particular Okinawa whilst in England the tone toward U.S. bases is virtually mute. What could the inference be? Trespassing is such a minor incident yet some try to blow it up to be way much more than it should be.

BertieWoosterNov. 18, 2012 - 08:56PM JST

Isn't it because Okinawans have just had ENOUGH and want the US military off their islands?

Why are you speaking for the okinawans when you are a self declared british citizen?

Statistics show that most okinawans don't mind them at all. And even if they did, why aren't other places with bases so up at arms? Because there's no issue with the military, okinawans just hate tokyo.

Why on Earth should the Okinawan people enforce the curfew on US servicemen?

Why should they?

What does this have to do with the price of fish?

Seriously though trespassing is front page news?

What a joke, is this really news! Drunk is drunk, Japanese or American. How many times have we all witnessed a drunk Japanese guy staggering home? Is that news worthy too? If Japan wants the protection from the USA, they need to tell the Okinawans to just put up with these issues!

Facepalm Like I said before. Soon Alcohol will be banned for service members in Japan.

@yubaru

If the local community and police are not willing to aid the military in enforcing the curfew then it simply cannot be enforced. What's to stop someone from staying off base after curfew and coming back in the morning when the curfew is over. What about the people who live off base? This curfew is a joke! The only people who follow it are the ones who are responsible enough to follow the rules and not get in trouble in the first place. There is nothing binding Okinawans to enforce military law but if theyre just going to snub their nose and not help out then the curfew is pointless.

I am not saying they have to enforce the rules of the military, but I am saying, dont continue to complain about things happening when these bar owners continue to serve military members after they know they are not supposed to be in an establishment where the main profits are made from alcohol. It doesn't matter if they have no relationship with the military, and the curfew does pertain to them, because they are the same ones complaining that they are losing money because of the curfew. If they want to knowingly ignore the curfew that they know is in place because of the complaints they have made about sales, then dont continue to serve alcohol and further contribute to someone getting more drunk and making even more bad decisions.

You are EXACTLY saying that the off base establishments have a responsibility to enforce military regulations. Dont automatically assume that all Japanese are alike either.

Well if you know that someone is not supposed to be in your place of business after a certain amount of time, arent you going to make sure they are not in your place of busienss after that time? Or would you continue to serve them knowing they are supposed to be in government quarters?

You are asking a rhetorical question here. It doesnt matter if I know or don't, there is a difference as well between what I am legally responsible for and what I may be morally responsible for.

Also you have to take into account exactly WHERE you are trying to impose your ideals of what one is responsible for or not.

This IS Japan, not the US. and American Military rules or regulations have no hold in Japan. Dont ever forget that.

He was wrong to be out past curfew from what it sounds unless he lived off base which is possible being a leutenant . The rest of the story was vague, either the address was misread or not written correctly or dude was just set up by the supposed woman he was talking to.

It will be in the news for weeks to come a little piece at a time added to the story ....maybe !

bas,

Looked at the link, but didn't glean much more from it than JT says.

There are a few posters, including your good self, who try to downplay this incident, but I would be willing to bet a fair amount of money that Oberleutenant Chanquet's ears are burning at this moment.

This is NOT a good time for ANY serviceman to step out of line, and however people try to minimise it, the guy did step out of line.

As I said, a quick Google search will show this article ALL OVER news media, not just in Japan and the States, but everywhere.

And, if this incident is exaggerated, you might ask yourself why.

Isn't it because Okinawans have just had ENOUGH and want the US military off their islands?

As the article above states, Anti-US feeling has been aggravated by the drunken serviceman who broke into an apartment, punch out a kid, hoofed in the TV and did a superman out of a 3rd story window, not forgetting the two priceless idiots who raped a girl on her way home from work.

Bad luck runs in threes?

Nah!

That's an old wive's tale.

It dates back to the trenches in WWI as far as I know.

@Yubaru

Well if you know that someone is not supposed to be in your place of business after a certain amount of time, arent you going to make sure they are not in your place of busienss after that time? Or would you continue to serve them knowing they are supposed to be in government quarters?

I am not saying they have to enforce the rules of the military, but I am saying, dont continue to complain about things happening when these bar owners continue to serve military members after they know they are not supposed to be in an establishment where the main profits are made from alcohol. It doesn't matter if they have no relationship with the military, and the curfew does pertain to them, because they are the same ones complaining that they are losing money because of the curfew. If they want to knowingly ignore the curfew that they know is in place because of the complaints they have made about sales, then dont continue to serve alcohol and further contribute to someone getting more drunk and making even more bad decisions.

Thats my logic

Our "best and brightest"...

Doesn't anyone agree that the bar owners should be reprimanded at least somewhat for constantly allowing military members to patronize their bars after curfew? A curfew that everyone on this island is aware of.

Why or how do you believe it is necessary for those who have no relationship to the military have any responsibility at all for enforcing any rules that do not pertain to them?

I do not understand your logic, not at all.

nonsense news.. always okinawa and us military... without the military there the place would be dead all ready.

BertieWoosterNov. 18, 2012 - 07:20PM JST

These are the damage patrol.

Sent to make nothing of any accusations.

Who was sent to do what? You're sent by the okinawan government to make something of any allegation?

Anyone hurt? Any property damage? Anything missing?. No. An unfortunate incident but hardly significant to anyone except those involved.

Too bad this is getting politicized instead of actually bringing people to justice.

http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_22021405/another-us-military-serviceman-arrested-okinawa

As always, AFP is clearly anti-american, the AP article is far more insightful as to the very political nature of the incident. Although it is entirely legal under japanese law for any person, including servicemen to be outside at any time of the day and drink anywhere it is not forbidden by law (or private establishments that restrict alcohol) , the okinawan police are investigating those two issues. It is clear that the police intend to violate this man's and other servicemen's rights for "crimes" that they neither have jurisdiction nor even laws against it. Whether or not the investigation has anything to do with the fact the emperor is down there, as the article suggests, is a bit less clear.

Most interestingly, big name cases seem to happen in threes, with the last major string in 2008 that also involved a rape, drinking that lead to an alleged crime ("drunk driving", in 2012 it's punch a kid and jump out a window), and a sleep-in, all within a month (just like now). Maybe crimes do happen in groups, or maybe it's just people (including media) trying to milk as much blood as they can once there's something close to 1995's incident they can reference as much as possible.

All front doors have a thing called a lock on it...USE IT!!!

Doesn't anyone agree that the bar owners should be reprimanded at least somewhat for constantly allowing military members to patronize their bars after curfew? A curfew that everyone on this island is aware of. Either the businesses and people want us here to make money off of us, or you dont want us here at all and you can take care of your business yourself.

Either way, the military, the JP's and the local bar owners have to talk to each other. This is that whole "communication is key" thing. If the bar owners simply refused the service members alcohol and called the JP's as soon as curfew hit, the JP's would pick up the military member for curfew violation and bring them back to base with no problems. Not to say none of this would happen, but a simply forgetting about making your profits and not letting things happen just so you can make a buck would go a long way.

Blame it on the Awamori and the Happoshu or combination. Again, what type of alchohol and how much did he drink all night long?

I think its funny that some posters say that others are damage patrol, trying to make nothing of any accusations, when you sit there and try to make something more out of nothing. Nothing has been proven yet, and I hope that this was a misunderstanding or that a woman really did tell him to come to her place and she told him the wrong address. I would love to see how the non damage patrol posters who run here to make a situation worst would react.

how hard is it really? at this point seems just ridiculous

Ignore them.

As you should be as well.

Funny how some posters here are saying nothing ILLEGAL when this fool was OUT after curfew, and I bet the US Marines will find that ILLEGAL, or at least breaking their laws, their rules etc..and by being out after curfew, all drunk and waking up in a local apartment??

There is a difference between "believed to have" and actually "was". You are prosecuting, finding, guilt, and willing to hang, before having all the facts in front of you.

There is nothing illegal, as I wrote, about drinking. There are no laws against it. You are assuming and reading things that were not said and that is wrong.

Elbuda-san,

These are the damage patrol.

Sent to make nothing of any accusations.

Ignore them.

Funny how some posters here are saying nothing ILLEGAL when this fool was OUT after curfew, and I bet the US Marines will find that ILLEGAL, or at least breaking their laws, their rules etc..and by being out after curfew, all drunk and waking up in a local apartment??? Just when the US forces in Japan are trying their utmost most to keep any more of these wild escapades from further ruining the US/Japan situation, well just kind of makes you wonder, are these bozos doing these stupid things, out get drunk and all really interested in being in the armed forces or are they looking for easy ways to get kicked out??

"was detained after entering the unlocked apartment belonging to a restaurant worker without any legitimate reason"

Well of course there was a legitimate reason - he thought it belonged to a Japanese woman he met at a club who gave him permission to come to her place.

No harm done here, let's move on, shall we?

Please do not be impolite to other posters.

@BertieWooster: Are you even from Okinawa?

She isnt Japanese, she is just another foreigner, who happens to live in an enclosed glass house in Naha.

Whether it was a genuine mistake or not, Lieutenant Tomas Chanquet had been out drinking.

Nothing illegal here.

We know that he was blotto. Well, that's not true, he admitted that he had been out drinking. And fell asleep, according to the police, as soon as he had entered the apartment. It was lucky, perhaps that he did not notice the restaurant's girlfriend was there and that she called for help, as we might have had ANOTHER rape on our hands.

Quit trying to stir the pot with unfounded accusations. Also it's beneath ANYONE to make an assumption or even infer that ANOTHER rape may or may not have occurred.

It is very possible that this was an honest mistake. According to the article the Lt thought he was in the apartment of believing it belonged to a Japanese woman he met at a club who had given her approval., and if the investigation turns out to show that this was in fact what happened, and we have no reason to believe otherwise at the time, the Lt got the directions wrong.

Anyone that has lived on Okinawa for any length of time KNOWS that it is VERY easy to turned around and miss directions with the manner the streets are laid out, and the apartment buildings and houses that look alike.

It's a slap on the wrist type of offense, yet no matter what happens with the JP's, this guys career is truly screwed, and I feel sorry for him for that.

Basroil

What do we know for sure?

We know the perp's name, Tomas Chanquet.

And we know his rank, 1st Lieutenant. This may change, but at the moment, this is his rank.

We know that he trespassed.

Aha? Do I hear you protest?

Yes, he did. He entered the apartment of a restaurant worker without invitation.

We know that he was blotto. Well, that's not true, he admitted that he had been out drinking. And fell asleep, according to the police, as soon as he had entered the apartment. It was lucky, perhaps that he did not notice the restaurant's girlfriend was there and that she called for help, as we might have had ANOTHER rape on our hands.

But he didn't. Which must be a source of relief for one and all.

And that, at this moment is all we know.

Do let us know when you have some more information, won't you?

As opposed to conjecture, that is.

What's up with all these people leaving their doors unlocked in the middle of the night? Are they "asking" for trouble?

And it will happen again and again and again.

Whether "they" leave or not, it really will continue to happen!

He certainly does not sound like a rocket-scientist, this G.R.U.N.T!

The story has been changed from when it was first posted here, initially it said he was Futenma, which would make him either a fly-boy pilot, or some other air wing type.

He certainly does not sound like a rocket-scientist, this G.R.U.N.T! At least no one was raped or bashed up this time.

I'm wondering if this wasn't a setup? What if the woman knowingly gave him a wrong apartment number with the intention of causing an incident?

BertieWoosterNov. 18, 2012 - 04:47PM JST

I see the damage patrol already got here!

Who are you referring to? How does it have anything to do with the story? Why are you so insulting of other people?

Chanquet told police he had been out drinking and entered the apartment believing it belonged to a Japanese woman he met at a club who had given her approval.

Sounds like a simple mistake at best, flat out a setup if the restaurant worker's girlfriend happens to be the same person who told him he could be there. Of course, the cops will never bother to search for this person, and never bother to check the club's cameras (they all have cameras at least in entrance) to see if his story holds water.

Hi, bas!

I tried to find more information but couldn't come up with anything.

What I did find though is that the story is splashed ALL OVER the media.

The eyes of the world are on Okinawa right now.

Yet ANOTHER ALCOHOL related incident.

Whether it was a genuine mistake or not, Lieutenant Tomas Chanquet had been out drinking.

I know the full story, this guy is just too stupid! Time to kick his ass out of the marine corp ASAP !!

I see the damage patrol already got here!

Well, it's happened again.

And it will happen again and again and again.

Until they all leave.

edojinNov. 18, 2012 - 03:32PM JST

Same thing happened to me while living on Okinawa. ... One night my wife and & came home and found a local sleeping on our sofa.

Odd, Japan Today didn't bother reporting on it... And probably your landlord didn't bother calling the cops either. If that's not signs of anti-american bias, nothing really would be.

So, is there any evidence that the guy was in there illegally? Perhaps it was his friend's house? Perhaps he was invited? So far this isn't a story, it's flat out incitement of tensions for nothing but political and monetary gains.

I think the military should start having their people carry a wire for self defense. Sure the okinawan's would cry out privacy violation, but the "crimes" would easily be seen for the political tactics they are.

The 'Marines' seem to suffer from a severe lack of discipline these days.

Unbelievable.... It's so unbelievable, considering all the attention that's been on the Military, especially Okinawa, you couldn't get away with J-Walking there now-a-days... Either half of this story is missing, or this Jar-Head really wanted out of the Corps... But he could have just resigned his commission... In any case, there's NO excuse...

I'd be interested in hearing the full, complete story, not just this 10-percent that JT is posting, what we are seeing here is the over-embellished shock and awe headline, not the nitty-gritty details, which may turn out to be more boring than you can image. But again, In any case, there's NO excuse...

Same thing happened to me while living on Okinawa. I didn't lock my door 'cause didn't need to as the area where I lived was considered safe. One night my wife and & came home and found a local sleeping on our sofa. We got our Okinawan landlord, who lived next door, and he roused the sleeping man. As it turned out, the guy was drunk and somehow wandered into our unlocked house. So we learned our lesson: keep all our doors locked when out. Perhaps those who found the first lieutenant sleeping in their home, as mentioned above, will do the same from now on. As "Yubaru" pointed out above ... an officer no less. Good grief ...

Cripes an officer no less. Out after curfew maybe? Didn't want to get caught and slept it off?

Yet there is a lot of information missing on this one too, like whose house or apartment, where did it happen?

I am sure the news tonight and for the next week will give us down here a blow by blow account that hasn't been reported here...(yet?)