Japan, US review military liberty policies after Okinawa killing

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced on Tuesday that Japanese and U.S. officials are reviewing the off-base code of conduct for American military personnel stationed in Japan. The policy review follows the alleged killing of an Okinawan woman by a U.S. Marine, an incident that has prompted renewed scrutiny of military behavior in the region.

The review process aims to address long-standing concerns regarding the conduct of U.S. service members. Previous reports have highlighted a history of criminal activity involving military personnel in Japan, including instances of rape, assault, hit-and-run accidents, and drunk driving, which have historically strained relations between the local population and the U.S. military presence.