Okinawa police plan to share information on US sexual assaults with local authorities

A senior Okinawa Prefectural Police officer said police will consider ways to share information with prefectural authorities regarding sexual assault cases involving U.S. service members stationed in the area.

Asato Hitoshi, head of criminal investigations at Okinawa Police Headquarters, made the remarks during a meeting of the prefectural assembly’s special committee on Monday.

The meeting comes after two alleged cases of sexual assault involving US service members – one in December and the other in May – were revealed last week.

Information about these cases was shared with the central government, but not with the local government.

Asato said that given the sexual nature of the cases, police have not made public statements or shared information with Okinawa authorities to protect the victims’ privacy.

He added, however, that it was very important to inform Okinawan residents of the arrests of U.S. military personnel suspected of crimes.

Asato also said that the number of criminal cases and arrests is posted on the police headquarters’ website and updated every month. He added that the police provide relevant information to the governor when requested.

An Assembly member asked Asato who made the decision not to provide information to the prefectural government. Asato responded that it was the police chief and his senior officers who made the decision.

Asato said he wanted to discuss with local government officials how to share information about sexual assault cases, while taking steps to prevent victims’ privacy from being violated.

Among those attending the meeting was the head of the governor’s office, Tamari Masahito. He said the Okinawa government wanted to start further discussions with the police about the circumstances under which they could provide information to the prefecture.

Police also said there have been several cases of alleged sexual assault involving U.S. military personnel since last year. In response, the local government said it had not received any information about these cases.

Assembly committee members have confirmed they will write protest letters and opinions on newly revealed sexual assault cases.