The Supreme Court of Japan is in session in this undated photo. (Yoji Naito)
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Japan’s highest court has upheld a U.S. airman’s conviction for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl just over two years ago on Okinawa.
Senior Airman Brennon Washington, formerly of Kadena Air Base, filed his final appeal to the Supreme Court in Tokyo on Sept. 10, the same day the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court upheld his conviction.
The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal on Friday, a spokeswoman said by phone Tuesday. No further details about the basis of the appeal or rejection were available.
Some Japanese government officials must speak to the press on condition of anonymity.
Washington was sentenced on Dec. 13, 2024, in Naha District Court to five years in prison with hard labor after a three-judge panel found him guilty of kidnapping and sexually assaulting the girl on Dec. 24, 2023. Evidence at trial showed Washington picked up the girl at a park in Yomitan and took her to his home.
In Japan’s three-tier court system, the Supreme Court is the final venue for appeal. Cases are typically handled by a five-justice petty bench and can be reviewed only for constitutional issues or conflicts with legal precedent.
At Washington’s first appellate hearing in Naha on July 30, defense attorney Junji Shimizu argued the district court ignored changes in the girl’s testimony and said she showed interest in Washington. Presiding Judge Takahashi Miura from the bench on Sept. 10 said the court found those arguments without merit.
The case, along with that of Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton — convicted in June of attempted sexual assault in a separate incident — sparked public outcry and protests from Okinawa officials. In response, U.S. Forces Japan implemented stricter liberty policies for service members.
Clayton appealed his conviction on June 30 and appeared Tuesday at the Naha branch of the high court for his first appellate hearing.
AloJapan.com