• Two US marines in Okinawa are under investigation for alleged rapes, angering local residents.
• One marine is suspected of raping a woman in March, the other in January.
• US ambassador pledged full cooperation with Japanese authorities in the investigations.
• The incidents continue a troubling trend of sexual assaults linked to US military personnel.

Two US Marines stationed in Japan's Okinawa are currently under investigation for alleged rapes, according to police reports. These allegations have echoed ongoing community concerns regarding a series of assault cases involving military personnel, which have sparked outrage among local residents. The incidents involve a marine suspected of raping a Japanese woman at an American military base in March, and another accused of raping a different Japanese woman in January. Both cases have been referred to prosecutors for further action, according to IndiaTimes, Channel News Asia, and CBS News.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, emphasized that Washington would cooperate “fully” with Japanese authorities during the investigations. He stated, “We deeply value the ties of trust and friendship we have built over many decades with our Japanese hosts, and I am committed to doing everything I can to prevent actions that may jeopardize these bonds,” reflecting the seriousness of the situation and its potential impact on U.S.-Japan relations, according to IndiaTimes and Channel News Asia.

In response to the recent allegations, US service members conducted a joint nighttime patrol with Japanese officials in Okinawa, the first of its kind since 1973. This move follows a series of previous sexual assault cases involving American servicemen, raising concerns about the conduct of US military personnel. Last year alone, 80 individuals connected to the US military were charged with various crimes in Okinawa, highlighting an ongoing issue of crime associated with the military presence, as noted by Channel News Asia and CBS News.

The Okinawa governor, Denny Tamaki, condemned the latest incidents as “deplorable” and called for preventative measures from the US military to address these issues. Japan’s chief government spokesman, Yoshimasa Hayashi, reiterated that crimes committed by US troops are “unacceptable,” and he has refrained from commenting on specific cases at this time. This reflects long-standing tensions between the Okinawan population and the presence of US military bases, which have been a source of controversy since the notorious 1995 gang rape case of a 12-year-old girl by three US soldiers, according to IndiaTimes and CBS News.