Editorial article:
Is It Her Fault?
On public debate on Japanese media about 14 years old girl who got assaulted by US soldier
Approximately once per year, news about US soldiers in Okinawa causing harm to Okinawans comes out.
This year the victim was 14 years old girl, who had apparently accepted the perpetrator's offer on taking her home by his motorcycle. The man did not however keep his promise. He took her to his house, and attacked her inside his house, but she managed to escape. After, he tracked her by his car and said that this time he will really take her home. Inside the car, he raped her.
US envoy arrived to Japan and apologized the matter. Okinawan people are furious, saying that they will tear down the base.
Japanese television has shown several panel discussions about the matter. This morning, they interviewed Yokohama's mayor on the topic. He blamed the victim to be stupid and pretty much said that the whole international scandal was her fault.
I must differ with his opinion.
Basically, of course, it is unwise to accept such offer from a stranger, even adults. But everyone, even Nakada-san, seems to forget that we are talking about child. Under Japanese legistlation and pretty much under any legistlation there is in on this planet, 14 years is not adult. Children want adventure. Children are naive and that's how it's supposed to be.
I can imagine how cool his motorcycle must have looked like in her eyes. Motorcycle ride! Children want to believe that people are good, that's how the children have been since beginning of the times.
Moreover, every time when things like these happen, I dislike the way how the matter is handled what comes to politics. Almost every time US officials obtain the criminal and Japanese local police cannot do a thing but give up. This will cause even more rage in Okinawans.
I don't know what could help the poor 34-years old Marine who committed such terrible crime, but certainly, absolutely, and definitely Japanese court should convict him and he should spend his time in Japanese prison.
It just happens to be wrong that US has military base in Okinawa, then the official workers of that base commit crimes and go back home.
Dear members of future panel dicussions in Japanese TV, at least, please show some kindness and respect to the victim.
