d. The number of U.S. military-related criminal cases rose to 101 last year from about 40 in 2020, according to prefectural police.

After the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old girl by three U.S. service members, huge crowds protested the heavy U.S. troop presence on Okinawa. There was also anger over the rape of a teenage girl by a U.S. service member in 2024 and the delayed disclosure of the crime.

About 160 people gathered at a protest Sunday in Naha, condemning the crime and renewing demands that U.S. military bases be removed from the island.

One sign read:  We've had enough of this! 

Japanese officials condemn the crime

 The case deals a major shock and adds fear to the Okinawans who have already been forced to live next to U.S. bases,  newly elected Okinawa Gov. Genta Koja told reporters Sunday night in Naha.  It is absolutely unforgivable and we are outraged. 

Koja said the case underscored the ineffectiveness of past disciplinary measures taken by the U.S. military following similar crimes.

 I'm enraged by the loss of a precious life of an Okinawan resident,  Koja told Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson, commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force, and U.S. Consul General in Naha, Andrew Ou on Monday when he summoned them to the prefectural government. He demanded that U.S. officials take effective preventive measures.

Watson replied:  I recognize the serious incident caused significant concern and anxiety among the residents of Okinawa, our neighbors  and that  we are committed to being good neighbors … and earning the trust of the Okinawan people. 

In Tokyo, Takaichi condemned the crime and demanded full cooperation and tougher disciplinary and preventive measures by the United States.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also summoned U.S. Forces Japan Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost to his ministry, while Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed his outrage to the U.S. ambassador to Japan, George Glass.

The suspect will face Japanese justice

Glass, on X, expressed his condolences Sunday to the victim's family and said the United States is cooperating with Japanese authorities.

On Monday, he said he is telling U.S. military commanders of the need  to hold our American service members to the very highest levels of discipline and integrity  and that he and Watson discussed the  next steps in strengthening that bond of trust with our Japanese partners and base-hosting communities. 

Under a bilateral status of forces agreement, the case is being handled by the Japanese authorities because the suspect was not on duty and was arrested off base.

Japanese prosecutors started examining the suspect's case on Monday to determine whether to press formal charges in coming weeks.

If convicted, he could face life in prison or the death penalty.