Tokyo – Japanese prosecutors have formally charged Brennon R. E. Washington, a 25-year-old US Air Force member stationed in Okinawa, with kidnapping and raping an underage girl just before Christmas last year, confirmed Okinawa police on Wednesday.
According to court officials in Naha, the capital of Okinawa, Washington was indicted on March 27 for “non-consensual sexual intercourse” and “indecent kidnapping.” The US military subsequently handed him over to Japanese authorities on the same day. Following his indictment, Washington was released on bail and is now in custody at Kadena US Air Base in Okinawa. His trial is scheduled to commence on July 12, as announced by a spokesperson from the Naha District Court.
Details regarding Washington’s legal representation were not disclosed by court officials.
This case has surfaced amidst heightened geopolitical tensions between Washington and Tokyo, particularly with regard to military cooperation amid rising concerns over China and North Korea. The allegations have rekindled longstanding grievances among Okinawan residents regarding the presence of US military bases on the island, exacerbated by previous criminal incidents involving American personnel.
Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki condemned the alleged crimes, describing them as “extremely regrettable” and emphasizing the necessity to protest against the US military’s handling of such incidents. He pledged a firm stance in addressing the situation.
The 18th Wing of the US Air Force, to which Washington belongs, acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and expressed solidarity with local concerns. 1st Lt. Alvin G. Nelson III, spokesperson for the 18th Wing, affirmed their commitment to cooperate fully with local authorities in investigating the case.
The indictment follows a history of sensitive incidents involving US military personnel in Japan, including past cases of assault and fatalities, which have sparked widespread public outcry and diplomatic friction between the US and Japan.
Masataka Okano, Japan’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, has called for stricter discipline and registered a protest with the US Ambassador to Japan in response to the recent indictment.
Efforts to obtain comment from the US Embassy in Japan were met with a referral to Kadena Air Base, where Washington was stationed. Continued efforts are being made to seek additional information from Kadena Air Base regarding the case.
The US and Japan maintain a longstanding defense alliance, further solidified in recent years amid regional security challenges, including North Korea’s nuclear activities and China’s expanding military presence.
US President Joe Biden’s meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have underscored trilateral cooperation in countering these threats, marking a renewed commitment to regional stability and security cooperation.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned for ongoing coverage of the trial and diplomatic reactions surrounding this case.