On the 26^th February, the US military announced that the curfew currently imposed on the troops it has stationed on the Japanese island of Okinawa would remain in place until Monday 3^rd March at least. The measure, as we previously reported, was implemented following requests that the US act with more strength in controlling the 20,000 troops it has based there.

In a statement, Marine Corps Lieutenant General Richard Zilmer was quoted as having said the curfew would last “until further notice.”

The situation, the statement added, "will be reassessed again by senior service leaders on March 3.”

Japan Deciding Fate of US Troop in Rape Allegation

Prosecutors in Japan have until the 3^rd March to decide whether to charge Staff Sergeant Tyrone Hadnott – the US soldier arrested earlier this month amid claims that he raped a girl aged 14.

The word from the prosecutors is that Hadnott confessed to having touched the girl, but denied having raped her.

Further to the information previously provided by Armed Forces International, the curfew covers all members of the US armed forces based on Okinawa, as well as their relatives living there. Geographically, it restricts them to either their place of employment or duty, their place of worship or place of education. Visits to other locations in connection with dental or medical treatment are permissible.

The US soldiers stationed in Okinawa are there under the terms of a security treaty through which Washington is bound to protect Japan.

After the curfew’s introduction, news broke of another instance where an Okinawa-based US troop had been arrested – accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room.

Source – Armed Forces International’s Far East Correspondent

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