US Marine Sentenced to Seven Years for Sexual Assault in Okinawa

Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, 22, was sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in Okinawa. This case is part of a troubling pattern of violent crimes attributed to US servicemen in the region, prompting ongoing protests from locals unhappy with the US military presence.

A court in Japan's Okinawa prefecture has sentenced Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, a 22-year-old US Marine, to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman last year. The court found him guilty of choking the victim from behind and attempting to force sexual intercourse. This incident highlights ongoing concerns surrounding US military personnel stationed in Okinawa, where over half of the 54,000 US soldiers in Japan are based.

The case against Clayton is part of a troubling history of violent crimes involving American servicemen in Okinawa, which has a turbulent past regarding military presence. Notably, decades ago, the rape of a 12-year-old girl led to massive protests, and similar outcry continues today in response to recent sexual assault cases involving US military members. In the past year, four such cases have been reported, including that of air force member Brennon Washington, who received a five-year sentence for the kidnapping and rape of an underage girl.

Despite denying the allegations, Clayton faced significant evidence against him. Prosecutors had sought a ten-year sentence, arguing for the severity of the attack, which left the victim with injuries that took two weeks to heal. Judge Kazuhiko Obata described the assault as "vicious," highlighting the victim's credible testimonies despite the defense's claims of her intoxication and inconsistencies.

Local opposition to US military bases has intensified, fueled by not only criminal incidents but also concerns about aircraft noise and environmental pollution. Previous efforts aimed at relocating the bases to less populated areas have met resistance, with many residents advocating for their complete removal. However, experts argue that Japan's alliance with the United States remains too significant to allow for such drastic changes, particularly amid regional tensions with China and North Korea.