Overview

• A U.S. Marine in his 30s has been accused of sexually assaulting and injuring an Okinawan woman in November 2024, with the case now under review by Japanese prosecutors.
• The alleged incident occurred inside a building on Okinawa's main island, and the victim reported it immediately to local authorities, who reviewed security footage and questioned the Marine.
• This is the fourth reported sexual assault involving U.S. service members in Okinawa in the past year, intensifying tensions between the local community and the U.S. military presence.
• Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki has condemned the incident as deeply concerning and has demanded a firm response to address the growing public outrage.
• The U.S. Marine Corps is cooperating with Japanese authorities, but the accused Marine remains in U.S. military custody as prosecutors weigh potential charges.