Prosecutors, not police, decide formal charges under Japan’s criminal justice system. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)
NAHA, Okinawa — Japanese prosecutors will not pursue charges against a U.S. Navy sailor accused of inappropriately touching a Japanese girl on Okinawa over the summer, a spokesman said Monday.
The Naha Public Prosecutors Office on Friday dropped all charges against the unidentified man in his 20s, a spokesman with the office said by phone. The sailor was accused of carrying out nonconsensual indecent acts against a teenage girl younger than 17 in June, according to the prefecture’s Military Base Affairs Division.
The prosecutors’ spokesman declined further comment on the decision, citing “a strong need to protect the reputation and privacy of those involved in the incident, including the victim.” Some Japanese government officials may speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.
The sailor is still in U.S. custody, Naval Forces Japan spokesman Cmdr. Paul Macapagal said by phone Monday.
Okinawa Prefectural Police sent prosecutors the case and notified the prefecture on Nov. 7. Prosecutors, not police, decide charges under Japan’s legal system.
The sailor, assigned to Fleet Activities Okinawa, was issued an alleged offense notice by Kadena police the same day, Macapagal said Nov. 19.
Police alleged the sailor was outdoors with the girl when he touched her. She reported the incident to police that day.
Okinawa continues to grapple with a series of high-profile sexual assault investigations involving U.S. troops. Japanese prosecutors have indicted four U.S. service members over the past two years and dropped at least one other case.
In December 2024, the Naha District Court convicted Senior Airman Brennon Washington of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor. In June, the court convicted Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton of strangling and attempting to sexually assault a woman. Both men have appealed.
Last month, Marine Pfc. Austin Wedington pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a Japanese woman on Camp Foster in March but admitted to injuring another woman. A fourth case, against Marine Lance Cpl. Michael Hofmaster, is still pending.
AloJapan.com