US military in Okinawa tightens martial law

(Baonghean.vn) - The US military in Okinawa, Japan, on May 27 decided to impose a curfew and other restrictions on all members working there after Kenneth Franklin Shinzato, a former US Marine, was arrested by Japan last week on charges related to the murder of a 20-year-old Japanese tourist, Rina Shimabukuro.

Many Japanese people in Okinawa demand that the US military take effective measures to avoid possible crimes. Photo: Reuters

NHK channel quoted a source as saying that all US soldiers and personnel working in Okinawa under the Japan-US Joint Forces Agreement were required to return to base before midnight.

They are also banned from drinking, buying alcohol and holding parties off base. These draconian measures will be in effect for 30 days, starting May 27.

US military sources in Okinawa said that the leader of US military forces in Okinawa - Lieutenant General Lawrence Nicholson issued the above decisions to express condolences to the victim's family.

Only individuals on service contracts and workers whose homes are located off-base are allowed to spend the night outside the garrison.

Lieutenant General Nicholson is scheduled to hold a press conference on May 28 to explain the measures.

Shortly after the murder charges, another US Navy officer was arrested in Okinawa on suspicion of drinking and driving on Sunday, May 22.

The Okinawa prefectural government and the central government in Tokyo recently renewed their request for the US military to take effective measures to prevent similar crimes from occurring.

Thanh Hien

(According to NHK)