Reparations for U.S. soldier’s arson 8 years ago not made

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Reparations for U.S. soldier’s arson 8 years ago not made

A case of arson by a U.S. soldier in Yokosuka City in 2002 has been left with its victim not being compensated for the damage.

The victim, who owns the rented housing until that was set on fire, claimed damages to the Yokohama Defense Facilities Bureau in 2003, but the Defense Ministry has not contacted him since and no indemnity has been made.

The 1995 Agreement of Special Action Committee on Okinawa makes the Japanese government liable to make up for the difference between reparations paid by the U.S. forces and the amount the court ordered the defendant to pay.

However, the Japanese government insists that no payment shall be made unless the U.S. forces pays something in compensation. On the other hand, it is completely up to the U.S. forces whether they pay the money or not. Thus, a great majority of the victims of crimes of U.S. servicemen are in fact neither indemnified nor paid compensation.

Takahashi Hiroshi, a lawyer handling lawsuits involving U.S. soldier’s crimes commented, “This arson case is a good example of the fact that only the tip of the iceberg is visible in connection with crimes committed by U.S. soldiers.”

- Akahata, February 8, 2010