TOKYO (AP) - The commander of the U.S. forces in Japan says American military personnel will be subject to a curfew and other restrictions following allegations two U.S. sailors raped a woman in Okinawa.
Lt. Gen. Salvatore Angelella gave no specific details about the curfew. He said Friday that U.S. military personnel in Japan will have to take "core values training." The military's liberty policy is also under review.
Angellela says American military personnel are "held to a higher standard." He apologized for the case, which drew protests from the Japanese government and an outcry on Okinawa, host to more than half the U.S. bases in Japan.
Seaman Christopher Browning of Athens, Texas, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Skyler Dozierwalker of Muskogee, Okla., were in Okinawa on a brief stopover. Both are 23.
USFJ Statement of Off-Installation curfew and training:
YOKOTA
AIR BASE, Japan – Lt. Gen.
Sam Angelella, Commander, U.S. Forces, Japan,
released the following statement on the new General Order regarding the
initiation of a USFJ Off-Installation Curfew and Training period:
"It
is an honor and privilege for me to serve as Commander US Forces, Japan.
In the military we are held to a higher standard because
of the trust and responsibility that we are given.
I
want to personally apologize for the grief and trauma the victim has endured
and the anger it has caused among people in Okinawa.
Under US PACOM Commander authority, I am immediately issuing a curfew to all
military personnel in Japan,
both temporary and assigned. In addition, core value retraining for military
and SOFA civilians will be conducted by subordinate commanders and a review of
the USFJ liberty policy will be executed over the coming days and weeks.
Additional program details will follow.
Japan
is one of our greatest allies, most trusted partners, and is the cornerstone of
peace and stability in the Pacific region. We will continue to do all we can to
ensure the U.S.-Japan relationship remains strong."
U.S. Ambassador to Japan
John V. Roos Statement to the Media at the U.S.
Embassy:
Let me start by thanking all of you for taking for taking
the time to be here today.
At the outset, let me say that the United States-Japan
relationship is of vital – and let me repeat, vital – importance to both of our
countries. The friendship between our people, and the security alliance
that has been built up over the past fifty-plus years, is something that my
government and my country value deeply. We have
no stronger friend or partner in the world than Japan,
and I, as well as so many others, work every day – and will continue to work
every day – to make sure that this partnership remains strong and successful.
A critical element of our bilateral relationship is the
trust that has been established between our two people. This trust has
been built up over decades – by Japanese living, studying, and working in America,
and becoming part of their American communities. It has been built up by
American students coming to Japan to learn more about this amazing country; by
young teachers bringing their skills and enthusiasm to cities and towns all
across Japan; by American businesspeople working side-by-side with Japanese
businesspeople on a daily basis; and by the American men and women who wear the
uniform of our armed forces, who are stationed here in Japan and who are
charged with the defense of the country and keeping the region peaceful and
secure for us all. All of these Americans have an important responsibility
to create and sustain a relationship of trust.
When that trust is damaged, it is a loss for us all.
That is why I wanted to speak to you here today.
It is an understatement to say that the recent reports of serious misconduct by
two United States
servicemembers in Okinawa are of great
concern to me and to my entire government. Both here in Japan
and in Washington,
American officials at the highest levels are taking these reports with the
utmost seriousness. Over the past two days, I have met with Japanese
officials here in Tokyo, including Minister
Morimoto of the Ministry of Defense, Minister Kira of the Foreign Ministry, and
Governor Nakaima of Okinawa, and I told them in no uncertain terms that the United
States would cooperate in every way possible
with the Japanese authorities to address this terrible situation.
I told them that we would work our hearts out to merit the trust of the people
of Okinawa and the people of Japan
as a whole.
If I may, let me repeat something I said a few days ago at
the Foreign Ministry. On a personal level, I would like to
reiterate this message to the Okinawan people and to the people of Japan
as a whole: I understand the anger that many people feel with respect to
this reported incident. I wouldn't be honest with you if I didn't tell
you that I share some of this anger. I have a
25-year-old daughter myself, so this is very personal to me. And I
can tell you that all of our civilian and military leaders share my
feelings. And they share my unequivocal commitment to positive action
going forward.
We are here today, the General and me, to announce
additional measures by our military here in Japan which General Angelella, the
Commander of U.S. Forces, Japan, will comment on in just a moment. But let
me say, and let me end by once again saying, that we will cooperate fully and
completely with the Japanese authorities. We will put forward every
effort to make sure that incidents like this do not happen. And we will
continue to work every day to strengthen and expand the critically important
relationship and deep friendship between our two great nations.
Thank you very much.
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