Less than 30 percent of U.S. soldier-criminals in Okinawa prosecuted

Among U.S. soldiers in Okinawa who have been arrested for committing crimes, only 20-30 percent have been prosecuted since 1972 when the administrative rights over Okinawa were returned to Japan.

This fact was revealed by the representatives of the National Police Agency and the Justice Ministry in answer to Japanese Communist Party member Koizumi Chikashi on July 16 at the meeting of the House of Councilors Special Committee on Okinawa and Northern Problems.

Referring to a declassified U.S. document, Koizumi said he suspects that the low prosecution rate must be due to secret agreements between Japan and the U.S. and demanded that the government inquire if such agreements exist.

Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko refused to do so, saying, "I am not in a position to comment on U.S. documents." (end)