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US limits Okinawa troops to bases after alleged rape

The US military yesterday slapped a sweeping curfew on troops and their relatives on Japan's southern island of Okinawa after a series of incidents including an alleged rape that sparked tension.

The indefinite curfew took effect at 7:30am in the wake of calls from Japanese leaders for stricter discipline on the more than 40,000 US troops in the country, half of whom are stationed in Okinawa.

Marine Corps Lieutenant-General Richard Zilmer, the top US commander in Okinawa, has ordered all members of the military and their families to stay on their bases or off-base residences until further notice.

"Active duty service members on Okinawa will be limited to their place of duty or employment, worship, education or medical or dental treatment" as they enter a "period of reflection," a military statement said.

It will "allow commanders and all service members an opportunity to further review procedures and orders that govern the discipline and conduct of all US service members serving in Okinawa," it said.

The US military has imposed night curfews on troops before and many US troops in Okinawa were already under orders to be back on base by midnight.

But it is rare for restrictions to be in place around the clock and to include families.

"The US military and its commanders take very seriously all incidents and allegations involving misconduct by service members," the military statement said.

In another bid to calm public anger, the US military said it would hold a "day of reflection" for all forces across Japan tomorrow.

A US Marine was arrested last week on allegations that he raped a 14-year-old girl in Okinawa, home to half of the US troops in Japan.

Staff Sergeant Tyrone Luther Hadnott, 38, has admitted trying to forcibly kiss the girl but denied raping her.

Within days, Okinawa police arrested two more Marines, with one allegedly driving while drunk and the other accused of stumbling into a stranger's house and passing out intoxicated.

Japanese media also reported on Tuesday that US authorities detained a Marine for allegedly distributing counterfeit US$20 bills in Okinawa.
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