American tax dollars at work in Japan

[Asmodai]

I know there's strong movement towards revisiting/rewriting Article 9. The sooner that happens the better. Japan has been skirting the edges of it by helping with refueling and patrols in the Gulf and stuff like that. I'm trying to remember how they managed to skirt the law and send some unofficial troops to Vietnam (it was described in the Apocalypse Meow manga, but I can't remember the details). Anyway, it's a crazy provision today, especially when America is struggling to get its other allies to pull their own weight in terms of defence.

The jocks analogy is probably pretty accurate. Most of them are good people, but the machismo thing covers up for the jerks and criminals. The soldiers I've spent time with (Army mostly) were all great people, but they're mostly JAGs and either Captains or Majors, so the culture is probably a little different.

I'm not sure how long it would take Okinawa's economy to recover. I'm sure there's been studies, but they elude Google for the moment at least. I don't think the recovery would be as seamless as you suggest, but I don't think it's knowable either way.

I do think 'extremely rare' is accurate from the figures I've seen. The rates are still lower than the general population. It's just that there's 50,000 American personnel and families there. That's about twice the size of the town I grew up in, and there seems to be a lower crime rate.

[meowchi]

I have relatives in Okinawa (Not military, but by Japanese descent), so I take frequent visits a few times a year. I also have relatives in the US Navy, so I pretty much have a small perspective on both views, American / Japanese.
Every few years there's a report of a sex crime near the American base in Okinawa. Many of the locals hate the fact that there's a base there and it brings the whole American/Japanese relationship into question. Generally there are three main anti-western groups in Japan. People who remember the war and the Tokyo fire bombings, the far right and those who have become disillusioned by the effects of the Okinawa base.

That being said, there are negotiations to end the Navy / Marine base on Okinawa and move it to Guam. The cost of moving the base is expected to be about $10 billion dollars. The Japanese have pledged $3 billion with another $3 billion in loans.
The final details haven't been worked out as yet. But, the earliest any move could happen is 2011. It will take that long to build the new bases in Guam. And the Japanese government is questioning the high cost of doing so.

Frankly, there is no real need for us to be there, but we are still obligated to defend them until the treaty is ended.

In any case, I think Guam is probably more suitable as a base of operations in the Pacific, particularly as Indonesia is a heavily-populated muslim country- and Australia might need the help of the US, if there is a confrontation or invasion.

But my question is- why did a 14 year old school girl get on the back of a 38 year old strangers motorcycle for a ride home, then go into his house, and then get into his Van? Common sense wields that you don't do these types of things. Eye for an eye, blade for a blade anyone? Sounds fishy, which leads me to wonder Is there a lot more to this story?

Now please excuse me as I have an ill-fated appointment at the local sports bar to fight and act all tough an shit since I'm good at track & field and never joined the military. Apparently I'm more dangerous than your average druggie, hooker, pimp, biker, skinhead, and punk. Thank god for steroids! 

[Saburo]

But my question is- why did a 14 year old school girl get on the back of a 38 year old strangers motorcycle for a ride home, then go into his house, and then get into his Van?

A promise of Playstation?

[Hakai]

But my question is- why did a 14 year old school girl get on the back of a 38 year old strangers motorcycle for a ride home, then go into his house, and then get into his Van?

Wth? 

That´s not the question. She is a minor (and a kid). The question should be:

why did a 38 year old man get on the back a 14 year old school girl on his motorcycle for a ride home, then get into his house, and the get into his Van?

Well. We already know the answer...

[meowchi]

I just wanna point out that I am, by all means against rape- and I hope the best for the girl involved in this incident, not to mention putting that disgrace of an American in jail.
It's hard to get the right representation for our country. The right representation being a person/soldier who upholds high standards, dignity and morale. But given the nature of the work that the military does, it's hard to get the right people in. So like all nations, we have our chumps and bums, but please don't let their image detour of what we really are...

But my question is- why did a 14 year old school girl get on the back of a 38 year old strangers motorcycle for a ride home, then go into his house, and then get into his Van?

That´s not the question. She is a minor (and a kid).

Japan has one of the lowest age of consent laws in the world. The Article 177 of the Penal Code puts the age of consent for sexual activity at thirteen (13) years. However, prefecture law usually overrides federal law, raising the age up to 18. So it varies. Believe it or not, most young Japanese girls are having sex- if not by firsthand experience, but being influenced by it via the huge porn industry. Ever walk through the red light district in Japan? It's unbelievable. And people seem to be fine with it. They even treat porn stars as part of the norm. As idols.
Anyway, at 14 years old, the girl took a chance.  Okinawa is one of the poorer parts of Japan where rape is common, and a 38 year old comes up and asks you to come with him? Shouldn't that be a huge red flag? I've had experiences myself, when older men would try to play the seduce game. I don't think I have to point out how obvious it is when a man you don't know whom is old enough to be your father, offers you a ride home. Like how I said before, common sense wields that you don't. She could be really naive... Or really twisted.

Which brings me back to my questioning is there more to this story?
No doubt that sex was on this guys mind. However, in light of the girl (whom I feel very sorry for, no one deserves to be raped), I'm speculating on her logic behind her actions (If any).
She got into this guys car (red flag?), they drove around a bit, they went into his house (wow, red flag anyone?), she left the house and as she did, the guy kissed her and tried to molest her (uh... red flag anyone?), she left, the guy caught up to her (whoa! red flag!?),  and offered her a ride home and she agreed (after he tried to molest her, uh red flag anyone?), he than took her to a park where the actual rape took place....

I've come to believe that a lot of these girls think that by having a sexual partner older  then they are; it makes them appear older also and more mature.
In this case, a 38 year old western foreigner. With a motorcycle. A car. And his own house.
Did this girl know what she was getting into, despite all the red flag warnings? No one can ever know, I guess- but as a girl myself, whose been in this situation before- one would undoubtedly take in the consideration of rape. After all, just look at all the hit & misses this guy did.
In conclusion, Japan is one big porno/pachinko parlor. I've seen porn on regular TV. It is not unheard of for teenage girls to turn tricks for older businessman so that they can get fancy stuff they want. Though one would might question the naivitivity there, I believe it's just, summed up in one word that's simple enough: twisted.

[Guchi_Jnr]

That's your "red flag!?" interpretation of the events, here's mine from the news stories I've read..

The victim and 2 of her friends were out on Sunday night (Monday was a public holiday), and this black dude rides up on his bike and starts talking to them.. He comments on how he likes her baggy pants (he's mostly likely acting all hip-hop and shit), so she complements his bike.. He asks if she would like to go for a ride, and she thought "Why not... I'll be back in a few minutes", but he doesn't take her back, and instead takes her to his house and drags her inside..

Meanwhile, her friends are still there waiting and they start to worry.. They call her cell phone a bunch of times, but she doesn't answer.. Finally she answers the phone and says "help me!! I've been abducted...."phone stops.. The friends call parents, and the parents call the police..

He leaves her alone for a minute and she makes a break for it.. She's out the door and off running.. He comes out, jumps in his car, and goes off looking for her.. Eventually he finds her, and somehow persuades her to get in the car.. I'm guessing she was balling her eyes out, and he was all apologetic like "I'm sorry...I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to scary you.. I'm not a bad guy!".. She gets in, he drives to a quite spot and rapes her..
She then manages to escape once again and makes a dash for a convenience store.. He quickly follows her there, but can't do anything because they are now not alone, so he leaves.. She then telephones the police, and they find him sitting in his car at home..   

What she thought was going to be a 2min joyride on the back of a bike, ended up being 2hrs of terrifying hell..

This poor girl is going to be mentally scared for life because she trusted an America marine, and you someone swing it, like she's part to blame..


And in other news today..
Four marines accused of gang rape may be court-martialed
U.S. military authorities held preliminary hearings Friday to determine whether four Marines who had been charged with raping a Japanese woman last year should be court-martialed.

The four U.S. Marines - accused of an attack on a 19-year-old woman in October - were charged by the military in December, said Master Gunnery Sgt. John Cordero of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni in southern Japan.

The hearings, the military equivalent of civilian grand jury proceedings, began Thursday to decide whether the men would face court-martial, he said. Two of the Marines were also accused of stealing money from the woman.

The hearings, originally set to last three days through Saturday, ended after the second day, Kyodo News agency said without giving reasons. Phone calls to U.S. military officials at Iwakuni were not answered late Friday.

And for the record, this is a completely different rape case to the October one I mentioned a few posts back.. 

[meowchi]

and you someone swing it, like she's part to blame..

You misunderstood me. By any means, I never said she's at full or partly at fault for being raped.

Let me make this clear: No matter what the circumstances, rape is not the victims fault. It doesn't matter if the girl was walking the street buck naked- she is not responsible for the actions of that "man".
However, she, and everyone in general, shoulder a measure of responsibility for their actions.

To put it in a non-gender perspective:
Suppose you park in the fire lane in front of a store. There's a fire, the fire department comes along and can't get around the car. So, with precious time wasting, they break the windows, and run the fire hose through it. Now, did you ask to have your car damaged? Of course not. But we must admit, you shouldered a measure of responsibility inasmuch as you parked in a fire lane.

Again, she's not at fault for the rape, but she is at fault for putting herself in not just one, but various- I repeat, various, high risk situations one after another, in a single incident.

Which warrants the outcome in the other news story:

In the Iwakuni case, media reports say the woman met the servicemen at a restaurant in Hiroshima, and the men drove her to a nearby parking lot where they allegedly raped and robbed her....
...Kyodo reported that the woman said she had agreed to have sex with one of the men, but then the three others joined the pair and all four raped her.

The rape is tragic, but the logic of her actions which lead to it?

[StreakInTheSky]

I'm not getting into the blame game or whether the base should be there or not. It's really too big a matter to just say "it's okay for them to be there" or "it's not okay." Humans are like that, nothing can be that simple.

What I'm wondering now is why Japanese prosecuters dropped the case of the four men raping the woman. When you're accused of rape, I think you should be tried through the full extent of the law. I find something really wrong with this.

[meowchi]

What I'm wondering now is why Japanese prosecuters dropped the case of the four men raping the woman. When you're accused of rape, I think you should be tried through the full extent of the law. I find something really wrong with this.

Oh, you mean that when a woman accuses a man of rape, everyone automatically thinks he is guilty? What about all the men being released form serving decades in prison due to false accusations of rape?

Though your reasoning may be a bit too generalized, I agree that the guilty should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. But this the Japan system we're talking about.

Some of my Japanese friends are notoriously insensitive. I learned that much from their treatment of foreigners and peoples of different races- not to mention some of the treatment I get, just for being a second generation Japanese (born and raised in America).

As for the male view on the female population, they see women more as liabilities than people, pretty funny for such an 'advanced' country.
Which leads me wondering: Does Japan care about rape victims?

Not too long ago, I remember watching a news segment about a foreigner suing Japanese police:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Aussie-rape-victim-sues-Japan-police/2007/12/04/1196530679353.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22872274-5013404,00.html

The Japanese 'system' (for lack of a better word) is very much like how it was here in the bad old days.
(if no one knows what I'm talking about, look up how rape victims were treated in the pre-feminist era here in the states.)

Which brings me to another point: Odango's observation regarding the way Japan refuses to acknowledge the sufferings of 'comfort women' during WWII is true. Japanese society is seriously patriarchal and women stand really low on the totem pole there.

As for the prosecution itself: Think about it from a victim or even officers' point of view. Police are, mostly, concerned for the survivor, but are also very focused on just getting the evidence and moving on. The medical examination on the survivor can be horrific (doctors can be imcompassionate and distant) - the examination can also hurt the person. Also, in remote areas - the person cannot shower until the doctor arrives (this can take hours).

Then, the entire rape prosecution process can be just as humiliating (including the survivor having to give evidence in front of the rapist). It is also very common that the rape survivor's past sexual history will be discussed during the trial and their moral behaviour will be questioned.

Only 10/100 rapes are reported and only 1/10 that are reported is the rapist found guilty.
No wonder the reporting incidence is low, not just in Japan, but rather the world.

[Maikeru86]

There are 3 things that always lead to a debate or argument. Religion, Politics, and Race (We'll include nationality in this case). Everyone will have their own views and opinions. So if everyone is trying to come to one conclusion, it's a waste of time. It seems some of us have already made up our minds on this topic anyways. But there is one thing we can all agree on. The person who is responsible for this crime should be prosecuted. It just so happens he is a Marine. Let me reiterate (View). I can imagine if i were this girl's father, I'd probably want all the Marines outta Japan. But you can't categorize an entire group of people because of one individual. Asmodai said it best. "It's the same thing as blaming all Arabs for 9/11 or all Asian-Americans for the Virginia Tech shootings." . And kicking all the Marines out of Japan wouldn't solve the problem. Let's say that there were know Marines in Japan. Maybe this guy commits this crime somewhere else.

[Guchi_Jnr]

It's the same thing as blaming all Arabs for 9/11

I think Guam is probably more suitable as a base of operations in the Pacific, particularly as Indonesia is a heavily-populated muslim country

 

[meowchi]

This is the 2nd time you've taken my posts out of context.

Let me clear it up for you: I don't hate Muslims or Islam.

I do, however, despise the extreme elements within Islam, and I am angry that, as other people put it, the good Muslims, don't stand up to the bad ones. I am angry that the Muslim nations are not taking control of their substantial extreme elements.

There are those who believe that the extremist element in Islam is small. Yet the numbers are staggering. There are 1.2 billion Muslims in this world. Lets take a very liberal view that only a very small percentage of Muslims are exterme, while the rest of the Muslim world is very peaceful. So if only 10% of Muslims have extreme point of views, and may be a threat, and must be dealt with, meaning dealing with 120 million Muslims.
How about 1%? Then you must deal with 12 million Muslims. How about 1/10 of a percent? Then you must deal with 1.2 million Muslims. The numbers are staggering. How do you propose dealing with even the "very low" figures of 1.2 million Muslim extremists?

I am sick and tired of hearing over and over and over again from Muslims that Islam is such a "peaceful religion."
Well, thank goodness Allah Islam is such a "peaceful religion", can you imagine if it weren't?

It is time for the Muslim world to take some accountability and handle its extreme element that is numbered in the millions of people.

it's true that I don't really like America

Typical American stereotypes:
- rude
- self-absorbed as a nation
- are money hungry
- "If it's not my way, it's wrong" mentality
- have little knowledge about things outside the USA
- "OMG! Like, He's so hot! and, like, what she thinking that she could even, like, talk to him? She's sooo way below his league!"
- gullible

I have yet to meet an American who actually embodies all of these stereotypes, but I do see elements of them appear in some, time to time.

Going to a well known international university and conversing with my non-american friends on their views of Americans- I've come to a conclusion that they (not all) think that when 9/11 happened, a lot of statements were said on the media that all Muslims are terrorist, all sorts of bad things about Islam, and they are still doing it today.
Their bottom line: If they show it on TV, Americans will buy into it.

I never heard any media source say ALL Muslims are terrorists after 9/11. In fact, all I can recall hearing is that we should not pre-judge all Muslims and to go out of our way not to profile air travelers at security checkpoints. They must get different channels than I do.

I consider marines the same as jocks..

First, let me get this across: To say that stereotypes are bad is an over generalization in itself. Point taken- I avoid all snakes because some of them are poisonous.

However, your American/marine/jock philosophy is a narrow minded way of jumping to conclusions. Its the lazy mans way of deciding something about someone, or in your case, an entire nation, and it can cost you alot.

I've also met a bunch that have less maturity than a 6year old, so generally speaking...knuckleheads..

Oh? How ironic

[Maikeru86]

I want to clear some stereotypes for Guchi. I'm a Military brat. My mother is Japanese from Okinawa, Japan. My father is an African-American Retired Marine. He's also fluent in Japanese and has thought English to Japanese students. He Doesn't go around beating his chest looking for barfights, nor does he act Hip-Hopish or thugish just because he's black. He's not a jock, or muscle-head either. I grew up in Iwakuni, Japan and Okinawa, Japan half my life. Japan and Japanese in general are very friendly. In fact, if you are a foreigner and you went to Japan, a lot of Japanese would probably try to conversate with you and practice their English. Don't let this unfortunate crime commited by this one individual change your perception and make you think Japanese hate foreigners because they don't.

[Guchi_Jnr]

This is the 2nd time you've taken my posts out of context.

I'm not doing that on purpose, it's just they way they read to me..

Typical American stereotypes:
- rude
- self-absorbed as a nation
- are money hungry
- "If it's not my way, it's wrong" mentality
- have little knowledge about things outside the USA
- "OMG! Like, He's so hot! and, like, what she thinking that she could even, like, talk to him? She's sooo way below his league!"
- gullible

Honestly speaking, the only Americans I've met are the ones I've met here in Japan.. Some were fine, most were not..
One of my buddies who's from Boston, told me "Don't think the Americans here are the same as the ones back home, because they are not." meaning that the ones who travel overseas, act a lot differently to the ones back home.. He ended up being so ashamed, he said he was going to introduce himself as a Canadian from then on..
Another buddy, a black guy from San Francisco, said his friends back home would probably beat his ass if they saw him act the way he was in Japan.. He said, being a black guy with dreds, he really stood out here and felt he was now special, so acted larger than life.. Whereas, back home he would just be another guy..

I want to clear some stereotypes for Guchi. I'm a Military brat. My mother is Japanese from Okinawa, Japan. My father is an African-American Retired Marine. He's also fluent in Japanese and has thought English to Japanese students. He Doesn't go around beating his chest looking for barfights, nor does he act Hip-Hopish or thugish just because he's black. He's not a jock, or muscle-head either. I grew up in Iwakuni, Japan and Okinawa, Japan half my life. Japan and Japanese in general are very friendly. In fact, if you are a foreigner and you went to Japan, a lot of Japanese would probably try to conversate with you and practice their English. Don't let this unfortunate crime commited by this one individual change your perception and make you think Japanese hate foreigners because they don't.

Oh yeah, I totally agree.. I've been living here for the last 7 out of 9years, and I also teach.. I'm actually writing this at high school now, because I have a free period..
I guess one of the reason why this news story has pissed me off, is because I teach 2nd year junior high school (and 3rd year senior) at an all girl school, and the victim was a 2nd year junior, so it feels like one of my kids..

[Guchi_Jnr]

Instead of starting a new thread, I'm just gonna bump this everytime a US marine in Japan breaks the law..

Another marine is held by U.S., this time for alleged counterfeiting
A marine in Okinawa Prefecture is suspected of counterfeiting U.S. currency, investigative sources said Tuesday, as the government meanwhile stepped up calls for the United States to toughen discipline on its military personnel.

U.S. military authorities have detained the marine, described as being in his 20s, on suspicion of making dozens of fake $20 bills and attempting to spend some of them in Uruma, southern Okinawa, the sources said.

On Monday, a 21-year-old marine was arrested on suspicion of trespassing after he was found passed out on a sofa in a private Nago residence.

Another marine, 22, was arrested Sunday for driving drunk in the city of Okinawa.

Seems like I'll be bumping this everyweek... at least..

[StreakInTheSky]

I really don't think weekly updates are needed...

That's like me posting every crime done by people around here...

wait... that stuff usually isn't "big" enough news to be reported -___-

[Guchi_Jnr]

Update..

U.S. imposes curfew on Okinawa forces
The U.S. military imposed a curfew on all its personnel in Okinawa beginning at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, following a recent series of troubling incidents, including the alleged rape of a teenage Japanese girl by a marine.

The length of the curfew, which has been designated as a period of reflection, has not been set. The measure covers not only army, navy, air force and marine corps personnel living on and off bases but also their relatives and nonmilitary staff. They will be restricted to their bases, residences or workplaces, whichever applies.

The measure also applies to U.S. military personnel stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, as well as Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Military personnel living on base are not allowed to leave for any activity other than those related to church, school, medical care or official duty.

Personnel living off base can, in principle, only move between the installations and their homes by private car, taxi or military transport.

[meowchi]

Found this on an Okinawan English blog:

Fri, 22 Feb 2008


A Message from the Women of Okinawa to All US GIs in Okinawa. Once again, American GIs have raped an Okinawan girl.

This one is from junior high. We are angry.

We do not believe that all of you are rapists. But given the long history of similar crimes over the sixty years from the Battle of Okinawa continuing to today, one could be forgiven for thinking so. If you are a female GI, can you trust these male GIs ?

We know that this incident is only the tip of the iceberg. There have been so many rape victims who have told no one and wept silently in their beds, that you are probably confident that you could get away with it, aren't you. But those days are now over.

We are not going to let us and our mothers, our sisters and our daughters be humiliated any longer. Whatever you do, wherever you go, we'll be watching you.

You have been turned into killing machines. The military organization has sought to teach you to see people not as people, but as something to kill. It is that same training that has taught you see us as someone you can rape casually. Go back to your hometown, where your mother is, and try to get yourself back to being a decent human being.

We do not hate you as individuals. But as members of the US military organization, you are unwelcome here. Maybe you imagine you are protecting Okinawa. But because you are here, we never feel safe. Because you are here, we feel constant fear.

You think that because the US military shed blood to seize Okinawa in World War II, the place belongs to you and you can do anything you want here, don't you.

But whatever countries or governments may have won or lost whatever wars, we have our dignity, our honor, and our freedom, and these are our islands, our land, our sky, our sea. It is here that we maintain the chain of life, giving birth to children, and raising them to be adults. This is the women of Okinawa. And this is what we are proud of. We will not allow you to continue to insult the pride, the honor, the dignity of us and our mothers, sisters and daughters. Go back to America. Now.

Okiinawan women are handing this statement to US military personnel. Contact address: ushiibaakami@yahoo.co.jp

[Guchi_Jnr]

"Okiinawan women are handing this statement to US military personnel."
Hope they can run fast!!

And in the news today..
U.S. Army soldier held for alleged sexual assault at hotel in Okinawa
A U.S. Army serviceman is under investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting a Filipino woman in Okinawa this week, the U.S. military and Japanese officials said Thursday.
.
.
U.S. military authorities took the unidentified suspect into custody shortly after the incident.
Okinawa Prefectural Police plan to seek an arrest warrant on suspicion of rape, based on an accusation filed by the Filipino woman.
.
.
The woman, also unidentified, was taken to a hospital after the alleged attack, said Takashi Ariyoshi of the Foreign Ministry.

Does "Extremely Rare" still sound correct?!?!

[Fracture]

Relative to the number of military personnel in the region?  Yes, very much so.