January 14, 2026

The Yokohama District Court Yokosuka Branch on January 13 sentenced a U.S. sailor assigned to the U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base to ten months in prison, with a 3-year reprieve, for hitting and seriously injuring an 87-year-old man who was crossing a crosswalk.

After the court decision, the victim and his lawyer, Goto Masahiko, held a press conference. Goto stated that he had sought a harsher sentence, but that the prosecution’s recommendation had been lenient. He expressed regret over the suspended sentence. The victim said, “I feel that the punishment for the U.S. military personnel is too light.”

Charlie Sison Julio, 45, while turning right at an intersection in Yokosuka City in Kanagawa Prefecture last February, ran over the victim who was crossing the crosswalk. The victim suffered serious injuries, including fractures to the pelvis and left knee.

Past related article:
> US soldier in Yokosuka hits 87-year-old man by car [March 8, 2025]