Call to oust U.S. from Japan grows louder

November 11, 1995
Web posted at: 6:00 p.m.

From International Correspondent May Lee

OKINAWA, Japan (CNN) -- For the past five decades, the tiny tropical island of Okinawa has been remembered as the place where U.S. troops defeated Japanese forces in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.

But 50 years later American troops are finding themselves in another battle, a battle to survive.

The alleged, brutal rape of a 12-year-old girl by three U.S. servicemen on Sept. 4 has triggered unprecedented outrage and hostility over American military presence on the island.

Nowhere has that anger been more apparent than at the many anti-U.S. military protests that have been held in Okinawa.

The determination to rid the island of the nearly 30,000 troops has been growing at an extraordinary rate, as has the support from top local politicians.

"Because most of the U.S. bases are concentrated here in Okinawa, we, the Okinawan government can't do our job to promote public welfare. Most of our energy has been spent on dealing with base-oriented problems," said Okinawa's Gov. Masahide Ota.

Local youth say the U.S. military poses a threat to their future.

"Since the U.S. bases have been in Okinawa there have been repeated crimes. Please release us from the suffering caused by the bases," said a Japanese girl at a rally.

So horrific is the alleged crime and so loud have been the cries from Okinawa, that this time those in mainland Japan, who have for years been accused of turning their backs on the island, and those across the Pacific are being forced to acknowledge and address the problem.

Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama said, "The terrible rape of an elementary school girl in Okinawa is unforgivable. The Japanese government will strongly request the U.S. government to prevent any further crimes like this."

The U.S. has condemned the rape while defending the U.S. presence in Japan.

Secretary of Defense William Perry said,"On behalf of the armed forces I want to express my sorrow and anger for this terrible act."

Although the case involving the rape of the little girl sparked international controversy, in the small town of Kin, the crime is hardly mentioned. In fact, most local townspeople choose not to talk about it because it's too close to home. The 12-year-old girl is one of their own.

The quiet streets of Kin are like that of any other small town, with its array of markets and corner stores. Along the one main road, local townspeople are seen running their errands at a leisurely pace, and the chatter of young children is heard as they return home from school.

But this life of simplicity has a definite edge to it as it has for so many years. One of Okinawa's biggest U.S. bases, Camp Hanson, is situated within the borders of Kin.

Its lots are full of military equipment serve as a constant reminder of what Kin residents say has been a source of perpetual misery and pain.

"In kin there have been so many crimes committed repeatedly by Americans" said a local woman. "And not just crimes, but also accidents like stray bullets from shooting exercises, which have injured local townspeople.

And so they go on, day after day, living as peacefully and as privately as possible. As one town official put it, "We just want to be left alone, just leave us alone."

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Call to oust U.S. from Japan grows louder

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