TOKYO. Japanese prosecutors have charged Brennon R. E. Washington, a 25-year-old US Air Force member, with allegedly kidnapping and raping an underage girl just before Christmas last year, Okinawa police confirmed to CNN on Wednesday.
Washington was indicted on March 27 on charges of “non-consensual sexual intercourse” and “indecent kidnapping,” according to a court spokesperson in Naha, Okinawa’s capital. The US military handed him over to Japanese authorities on the same day. Washington was released on bail and transferred to the Kadena US Air Base in Okinawa for custody. His trial is set to begin on July 12.
The court spokesperson stated that they have no information regarding Washington’s legal representation.
This prosecution occurs as the US and Japan are deepening their military alliance amid rising geopolitical tensions with China and North Korea. The alleged rape is the latest in a series of criminal cases involving US personnel in Okinawa, which hosts one of the largest US military bases abroad. These incidents have historically strained relations with residents, who oppose the presence of American troops and equipment on the island.
Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki expressed his dismay over the incident. “The allegations of rape and kidnap are extremely regrettable,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “It is necessary to strongly protest against the US military and other related organizations.” He added that his office will “take a tough stance in dealing with the situation.”
Washington was stationed with the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron at the Kadena Air Base. “The 18th Wing is aware of a sexual assault allegation against a Kadena Airman involving a Japanese citizen,” 1st Lt. Alvin G. Nelson III, spokesperson for the 18th Wing, said on Wednesday. “We understand and share the local community’s concerns regarding this case,” Nelson added, emphasizing that the Wing leadership is “deeply concerned by the severity of this alleged crime” and is cooperating with local authorities in the investigation.
“All US service members are expected to uphold the highest standards, and the US military is committed to holding accountable those who are convicted of criminal acts,” Nelson said.
The indictment follows nearly 30 years after three US servicemen raped a 12-year-old Okinawa schoolgirl in 1995, which led to significant backlash against the US military presence on the island. In 2016, the rape and murder of a 20-year-old woman by a former US base worker sparked mass protests, with tens of thousands of residents demanding the relocation of US bases outside of Okinawa, resulting in curfews for US personnel on the island.
In another incident involving US personnel, a US Navy officer killed two Japanese nationals while driving down Mount Fuji in 2021.
Following Washington’s indictment, Masataka Okano, Japan’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, called for stricter discipline and protested with US Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel. The Japanese Foreign Ministry confirmed the protest.
The US Embassy in Japan acknowledged the case but declined to comment, directing inquiries to Kadena Air Base.
The US and Japan maintain a mutual defense alliance and a long-standing military partnership, recently reinforced due to regional threats from North Korea and China. In August 2023, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met at Camp David, emphasizing a “new era of cooperation” with commitments to annual trilateral summits, intelligence sharing, and military exercises.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
