Naha District Court in Naha city, Okinawa, is pictured on June 3, 2026. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)
NAHA, Okinawa — A Japanese court has ordered a U.S. airman convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl to pay about $20,600 in compensation, increasing an earlier award after he challenged the ruling.
A three-judge panel led by Yosuke Nishio on Wednesday ordered Senior Airman Brennon Washington, formerly assigned to Kadena Air Base, to pay the victim following a civil trial in Naha District Court.
Washington had been ordered in February 2025 to pay about $17,200 in compensation. His attorney, Junji Shimizu, filed a formal objection five days later, triggering a new civil proceeding.
The victim’s attorney, Erika Ikemi, sought about $20,600 in damages, arguing the girl developed post-traumatic stress disorder following the assault, according to court records.
Nishio sided with the victim Wednesday and awarded the higher amount. The court did not immediately explain its reasoning.
Neither Washington, Shimizu nor Ikemi attended the hearing.
Washington is serving a five-year prison sentence after the court convicted him in December 2024 of kidnapping and sexually assaulting the then-15-year-old.
Evidence presented at the criminal trial showed Washington picked up the girl at a park in Yomitan village on Dec. 24, 2023, and took her to his home, where the assault occurred.
The case became one of several high-profile criminal cases involving U.S. service members on Okinawa that sparked protest and criticism from local officials.
Another U.S. service member, Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, was convicted in June of attempted sexual assault in a separate case.
In response to the string of cases, U.S. Forces Japan imposed stricter liberty restrictions in October 2024, including a ban on off-base drinking between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
AloJapan.com