The first forum via US troops on Okinawa meets to remove crime contraception

Camp Foster, Okinawa -About 35 in Okinawa Civilian and US military leader met on Friday in a promised forum on this Marine Corps basis to discuss cooperative measures to curb criminal behavior of the US service members on the island.

The Okinawa Community Partnership Forum was proposed last summer in response to a number of allegations of sexual attacks against American service members.

During the meeting, US officials checked the restrictions on freedom for service members and applied for opinions to improve the briefing, which improved the service members in Okinawa in Okinawa, such as a non -signed explanation of the US armed forces Japan.

The prefecture police said they are planning to give lectures on service members to prevent crimes.

Masahito Tamari, right, director of the executive office of the governor of Okinawa, and other prefecture and police officers arrive at the Community Partnership Forum in Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, May 9, 2025 (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)

The forum also discussed the expansion of the common patrols by US military and Okinawa authorities in Naha City, the prefecture capital and elsewhere, as from the US military, according to the USFJ. The first common patrol took place from April 18 to 19 in Okinawa City.

“Both sides confirmed their commitment to promoting a positive relationship that is based on trust and respect for both sides”, and future meetings are planned.

The forum included representatives of the US military in Okinawa, the Prefecture government of Okinawa, the Okinawa Liaison Office, US Consulate General Naha, Okinawa Defense Bureau, Prefecture Police Okinawa and Okinawa City, according to Usfj.

Authorities of Prefecture, Prefecture Police and Okinawa Defense Bureau, including Masahito Tamari, director of the Executive Office of Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, arrived at the Ocean Breeze, the Consolidated Club in Camp Foster, just before 10 a.m.

The 2½-hour session started at 10 a.m. with 30-40 participants, Tamari reporters later said in the prefecture office. Further meetings are expected, he said.

Photos from the forum published by USFJ showed Tamari, Col. Jin W. Park, head of the USFJ; Army Lieutenant Colonel Rachel Bowers, commander of the US Army Garrison Okinawa; and Masaru Shinzato, director of the Department of Safety Planning of the Prefecture Police.

The US Army -Colonel Jin W. Park, head of the US armed forces in Japan's Feldburo in Okinawa, gives comments on May 9, 2025 in the First Community Partship Forum in Camp Foster, Okinawa. (Jesse Davis/Us Marine Corps)

The then UsfJ Commander Air Force Lt. General Ricky Rupp suggested the forum in July, after a rash after sexual attacks against US service members since December 2023.

A case led to a conviction and three are pending before the Naha district court. Some cases were rejected.

Pfc. The 27 -year -old Austin R. Wedington from California was accused on April 30 of sexually attacking a Japanese woman and injuring another woman in Camp Foster in March.

Two Marines – Lance CPLs. Jamel Clayton and Michael Hofmaster – see each other in separate cases of sexual attacks from last year. Clayton is planned for the trial on June 2. Hofmaster's test version is not planned.

In December, the leadership of the Air Force, Brennon Re Washington, was convicted of kidnapping and sexual attacks by a minor in December 2023.

The Prefecture Assembly of Okinawa approved letters to us and Japanese officials on Friday about Wedington's indictment.

The letters require regular forum meetings to prevent future incidents with US service members. They also demanded revisions by the US status of the People's Associations that rule the presence of the US troops in Japan, new preventive measures and apologies and compensation of the victim.