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Friday, November 13, 2009

President Obama arrives in Japan

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Suspected WWII bomb wounds Okinawa worker

updated 9:42 p.m. EST, Wed January 14, 2009

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- A worker was severely injured Wednesday when a bomb, believed to be left over from World War II, went off at a construction site in Okinawa, police said.

The impact of the explosion in the city of Itoman damaged nearly 100 windows in a nursing home near the site and wounded a 75-year-old resident, said Osamu Hamada of the city's police force.

The worker -- 25-year-old Jun Kohagura -- was at the water supply construction site when the bomb exploded, injuring him in the face.

Authorities are looking into whether the bomb was left over from World War II. Several such unexploded bombs have been found in Okinawa, "since Okinawa was the bloodiest battlefield," Hamada said.

The Battle of Okinawa, which lasted 82 days from late March through June 1945, was an Allied operation to seize the island and then use it as a springboard to invade the Japanese home islands. The battle killed some 110,000 Japanese and 12,000 U.S. troops.

Unexploded World War II-era bombs have also been found periodically elsewhere in Japan. In May, authorities evacuated more than 16,000 residents from a Tokyo suburb while they defused a one-ton unexploded bomb.

Officials believe the weapons were from a B-29 bomber that crashed in Chofu, a western suburb of Tokyo.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/14/japan.wwii.bomb/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Suspected WWII bomb wounds Okinawa worker

January 14, 2009 -- Updated 0242 GMT (1042 HKT)

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- A worker was severely injured Wednesday when a bomb, believed to be left over from World War II, went off at a construction site in Okinawa, police said.

The impact of the explosion in the city of Itoman damaged nearly 100 windows in a nursing home near the site and wounded a 75-year-old resident, said Osamu Hamada of the city's police force.

The worker -- 25-year-old Jun Kohagura -- was at the water supply construction site when the bomb exploded, injuring him in the face.

Authorities are looking into whether the bomb was left over from World War II. Several such unexploded bombs have been found in Okinawa, "since Okinawa was the bloodiest battlefield," Hamada said.

The Battle of Okinawa, which lasted 82 days from late March through June 1945, was an Allied operation to seize the island and then use it as a springboard to invade the Japanese home islands. The battle killed some 110,000 Japanese and 12,000 U.S. troops.

Unexploded World War II-era bombs have also been found periodically elsewhere in Japan. In May, authorities evacuated more than 16,000 residents from a Tokyo suburb while they defused a one-ton unexploded bomb.

Officials believe the weapons were from a B-29 bomber that crashed in Chofu, a western suburb of Tokyo.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/14/japan.wwii.bomb/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Friday, September 5, 2008

Selection of New Japanese Prime Minister

Selected Articles:

Aso announces bid to succeed Fukuda, to campaign on reviving economy (AP, Kyodo)
Sep 5 12:14 AM US/Eastern

Japan's Aso announces PM bid as rivals call for change (AFP)
4 hours ago (apx 10:00 CST) (8:00 AM EDT)

Ishiba joins Aso, others in LDP presidential race (Kyodo, AP)
Sep 5 07:49 AM US/Eastern

Aso, six others line up so far in Japan PM race (Reuters)
Fri Sep 5, 6:33 AM ET

Aso announces bid to lead Japan's ruling party (AP)
Sep 5, 5:19 AM EDT

Unpopular Japan PM scores with parting shot (AFP)
Fri Sep 5, 3:28 AM ET

NKorea, eying next Japan PM, delays kidnap probe (AFP)
Fri Sep 5, 1:55 AM ET

Aso confirms bid to lead Japan's ruling party (CNN)
September 5, 2008 -- Updated 0530 GMT (1330 HKT) (1230 EST)

Aso announces bid to succeed Fukuda, to campaign on reviving economy (AP, Kyodo)
Sep 5 12:14 AM US/Eastern

Japan reformers to challenge Aso for PM (Reuters)
Thu Sep 4, 9:20 AM ET

3 lawmakers to challenge Aso in LDP presidential race (Kyodo)
Sep 4 07:37 AM US/Eastern

Japan reformers to challenge Aso for PM (Reuters)
Thu Sep 4, 6:13 AM ET

Japan PM front-runner Aso meets resistance (AFP)
Thu Sep 4, 4:43 AM ET

Japan Prime Minister Contest May Pit Spending Versus Discipline (Bloomberg)
Last Updated: September 4, 2008 04:28 EDT

Japan Economy Minister Yosano Seeks Premiership, Secretary Says (Bloomberg)
Last Updated: September 4, 2008 02:29 EDT

Aso rivals seek candidates in Japan leadership race (Reuters)
Sep 4 11:21 PM CST

Thursday, September 4, 2008

New Prime Minister

Friday, April 25, 2008

U.S. Marine charged with rape in Japan

April 25, 2008 -- Updated 0509 GMT (1309 HKT)

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- The U.S. military in Japan has charged a Marine with rape and other violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice in the alleged sexual assault of 14-year old girl in Okinawa.

A civic group member protests against Hadnott near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo on February 13.

Staff Sgt. Tyrone Luther Hadnott, 38, has been charged with the rape of a child under 16, abusive sexual contact with a child, making a false official statement, adultery and kidnapping, the Marines said Friday.

No dates for the court-martial have been set.

Photo: A civic group member protests against Hadnott near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo on February 13.

In February, Japanese authorities released Hadnott after the girl dropped the allegations against him, but the Marine Corps conducted its own investigation to see if Hadnott violated codes of military justice. It held him at a Marine facility.

The rape accusation against Hadnott stirred memories of a brutal rape more than a decade ago and triggered outrage across Japan. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda deplored as "unforgivable" the allegations against Hadnott.

The incident also led to tight restrictions, for a time, for American troops and their families at the U.S. base on Okinawa.

The U.S. military in Japan also formed a sexual assault prevention task force after the incident.

More than 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Japan, most of them on Okinawa. The troops were placed there under a security alliance after Japan was defeated in World War II and was renounced its right to a military.

The U.S. military presence has at times bred resentment among some Japanese, who have long complained about crime, noise and accidents. Anti-American sentiments boiled over in 1995 after three American servicemen kidnapped and gang-raped a 12-year-old Okinawan schoolgirl.

Two years ago, a U.S. civilian military employee was jailed for nine years for raping two women.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Japan killing prompts crackdown at U.S. Navy base

TOKYO (AP) -- The U.S. Navy said Wednesday it has imposed limits on travel and alcohol consumption for personnel at its base near Tokyo following the killing of a Japanese taxi driver.

The limits would take effect immediately, said Cmdr. David Waterman, a Navy spokesman.

Photo: The USS Cowpens arrives in Shizuoka, Japan, for a goodwill visit in 2004.

No alcohol will be sold due to "a period of heightened sensitivity" over the stabbing of a 61-year-old Japanese taxi driver last month in Yokosuka, just south of Tokyo and home to the U.S. naval base, Waterman said. Off-base travel and activities will be limited, he said.

The announcement came hours after Japanese authorities questioned a U.S. sailor over his suspected role in the killing of taxi driver Masaaki Takahashi.

The sailor, a 22-year-old crew member of the Yokosuka-based ship USS Cowpens, has been in U.S. custody since he was apprehended on a desertion charge earlier this month in Tokyo.

U.S. Navy investigators have also questioned him about the killing of the taxi driver because a credit card with his name was allegedly found in the victim's car.

The case comes amid mounting public anger over the U.S. military presence in Japan, where American troops face several allegations including rape and drunk driving. The outrage has prompted the military to impose restrictions on the 50,000 U.S. servicemen stationed in Japan.

"As members of the Japanese community, we all feel the impact of the murder," Waterman said. "As a member of the community, we really mourn over the tragic incident."

Referring to limits on personnel, Rear Adm. James Kelly, commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Japan, said in a statement that "The goal of this action is to review plans and policies on violence prevention and to respectfully mourn the tragic loss of Mr. Takahashi."

Waterman denied the measures were taken in response to the sailor's reported admission to Japanese police to the killing.

On Wednesday, Japanese police went to the Yokosuka base to question the sailor about the killing, Waterman said, but he refused to confirm media reports that the sailor admitted to fatally stabbing the driver.

Japanese authorities, who were reportedly preparing to obtain an arrest warrant for the sailor from a Japanese court, were expected to ask the U.S. Navy for his handover as early as Thursday.

The sailor's name, age, nationality and other details have not been released for privacy reasons. Japanese media reports have said he is a Nigerian citizen serving in the U.S. Navy.

updated 4 hours, 23 minutes ago

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Rice tries to soothe Japan outrage

February 27, 2008

TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed hope Wednesday that the arrest of a U.S. Marine on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old girl on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa would not damage Washington's relations with Tokyo.

Photo: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrives at Tokyo International Airport on Wednesday.

The arrest and a series of other damaging criminal accusations against some of the 50,000 American troops based in Japan have stirred anger at the U.S. military presence, which critics blame for crime, noise and pollution.

"We certainly hope that there will not be lasting effects. It's a long-standing and strong alliance," she said.

"Our concern right now is to see that justice is done, to get to the bottom if it and our concern is for the girl and her family."

Japanese officials have demanded further step by U.S. forces to control their troops. The Americans last week restricted thousands of military personnel and their family indefinitely to bases, homes and work places, and pledged to review anti-sexual assault guidelines and training programs.

Photo: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing on Tuesday.

Earlier Wednesday, Rice ordered her top Asia diplomat to stay in China to look at fresh ways of unblocking the stalled effort to get North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons.

Rice instructed Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill to remain in Beijing to study with Chinese officials new ideas of moving the process ahead, instead of accompanying her to Japan.

"He's continuing the discussions that we had with the Chinese ... on how to make progress in the six-party talks, how to get to a place where everyone is executing the obligations that they have undertaken," she told reporters in Tokyo.

"We were having good discussions and it seemed like a good idea for Chris to stay behind and continue those discussions," Rice said, replying with a flat and firm "no" when asked if she would elaborate.

Hill had planned to travel with Rice on all three legs of her Asian tour that has been dominated by the North Korea issue. She has visited South Korea in addition to China and Japan.

The North Korea issue has dominated Rice's trip. U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters that Hill was working on proposals put forward Tuesday by Rice and Chinese President Hu Jintao to jump-start the denuclearization talks.

He refused to say what those ideas were. The six-party talks are hosted by China and include the United States, Japan, Russia and the two Koreas.

"We'll see if it leads somewhere," McCormack said.

Rice said Tuesday that China and the U.S. were looking at ways to "synchronize" the actions the North must take to meet its obligations and the benefits it is to receive for those measures.

Hill does not plan to meet directly with North Korean officials during his extended stay in Beijing, where he will remain for at least another day, McCormack said.

On Tuesday, Rice won assurances from China that it would use its influence on North Korea to help with the denuclearization process.

While in China, Rice reiterated Washington's demand that Pyongyang provide a "complete and full declaration" of its nuclear programs. North Korea says it has already provided such a list.

Although North Korea shut down its main nuclear reactor last year, U.S. researchers who visited the complex earlier this month reported that officials there said they had slowed the removal of fuel rods. They said that was because the United States and other nations have fallen behind in supplying aid promised under the disarmament deal.

While Pyongyang maintains a large diplomatic mission in Beijing, Rice ruled out talks with North Korean officials during her stay in China, saying such a meeting was neither warranted nor could be of any use in the current circumstances.

Friday, February 22, 2008

U.S. military "Reflection" in Japan amid rape claims

February 22, 2008

TOKYO (CNN) -- The U.S. military held a "Day of Reflection" on Friday for troops in Japan after allegations that two U.S. service members committed sexual assaults on the southern island of Okinawa.

Photo: Protestors in Okinawa express anger at claims two U.S. service members committed sexual assaults

The goal is to emphasize professionalism and core military values, the U.S. military said. Service members will meet in small groups to discuss topics such as personal values, responsible alcohol consumption, and understanding ethnic differences between the United States and Japan, the military said.

The "Day of Reflection" follows the arrest last week of a U.S. Marine for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old Japanese girl and allegations Thursday that an employee of the U.S. Army raped a Filipino woman. Both incidents allegedly happened on Okinawa, where people have long resented the presence of the U.S. military.

"As responsible members of the Japanese community, and consistent with the values of our military, we will continue to do everything possible to prevent incidents," said Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright, commander of the U.S. forces in Japan.

"Every service member is expected to take personal responsibility for his or her off-duty conduct and we will continue to be unwavering in our commitment to maintain exemplary, high standards of professionalism," he said.

Photo: Japanese protesters shout slogans last week in front of a U.S. camp on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.

The Okinawa prosecutor extended custody Friday for Tyrone Hadnott, the 38-year-old Marine accused in the rape of the teenager. That gives Japanese authorities until March 3 to file charges against him.

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has condemned the incident as "unforgivable," and the allegation prompted the U.S. military in Japan to form a sexual assault prevention task force.

The episode echoes an incident more than a decade ago that strained relations between the United States and Japan, and similar cases have further fueled resentment of the U.S. military presence.

Police in Okinawa said Thursday they were investigating a second reported sexual assault involving an employee of the U.S. Army. It was not clear whether the suspect in the case is a soldier or a civilian employee at the military's base in Japan.

The U.S. Army in Japan said it was aware of the incident but did not give further details.

"We are in full cooperation with host nation authorities," the Army said in a statement. "We take this allegation very seriously and the Army does not tolerate sexual assault."

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill met Thursday with Japan's foreign minister and expressed regret over the recent incidents.

"I just want to make very clear the great regret that we feel about this, the concern that we feel for the Okinawa people," Hill said.

The U.S. military announced Wednesday that it was restricting the movements of all American troops and their families in Okinawa because of the allegation involving the Japanese girl.

The restrictions are in place "indefinitely" to allow troops and their families to reflect on discipline and conduct, the military said. It means troops and their families cannot leave their bases or off-base residences except for work, worship, school or medical needs.

Friday's day of reflection was a more focused part of those restrictions. It was taking part in more than 23 locations on Okinawa and mainland Japan, the military said.

"As a practical matter, we need to reel it in here and make sure we are on our best, best behavior," said Col. Jeff Newell, commander of the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base.

Newell spoke to his airmen at the base as part of the day of reflection, speaking about topics like responsible drinking and sexual assault prevention.

"The point we want to make here is the strategic impact of any American serviceman's behavior when they're off-base," Newell said.

More than 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Japan, most of them on Okinawa. They were placed there under a security alliance after Japan was defeated in World War II.

Locals have long complained about crime, noise, and accidents by the U.S. military, but resentment boiled over in 1995 after a 12-year-old Okinawan schoolgirl was gang-raped by three American servicemen.

The military observed a similar "Day of Reflection" after that incident.

Women's rights activist Mina Watanabe said Friday's day of reflection is just lip service. She said reported sexual assaults committed by U.S. servicemen on Okinawa have continued despite years of promises to prevent them.

"The U.S. military bases in Okinawa and Japan are not welcome," Watanabe said. "They don't protect the safety of the local community. It's more danger for the community."

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Japan Opposition Lawmakers Question Defense Min Over Scandal

Dow Jones
December 01, 2007: 11:11 PM EST

TOKYO (AP)--Opposition lawmakers grilled Japan's defense minister Sunday over a widening defense funding scandal and said Tokyo shouldn't resume aid to U.S.- led operations in Afghanistan before allegations are cleared up.

Addressing the opposition legislators' questions Sunday on a TV talk show Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba promised a comprehensive investigation.

Prosecutors raided the Defense Ministry last week over the scandal, which has triggered the arrest of a former top bureaucrat over allegations he was bribed by a contractor linked to General Electric Co. (GE).

The opposition bloc has used the scandal to slow progress on legislation to renew the country's naval mission to supply fuel to warships participating in U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan.

Speaking on the TV talk show opposition legislators said the recent disclosures were indicative of bribery at top levels of the ministry, and that renewal of Japan's refueling activities was out of the question until all allegations were cleared up.

"The problem doesn't lie just with Moriya. It goes much, much deeper than that," said Keiichiro Asao of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, referring to former Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya, arrested last week over bribery charges.

"We shouldn't be giving out oil, we should be draining the pus from a corrupt system," said Akira Kasai of the Japan Communist Party.

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's two-month-old government has been rocked by allegations that Moriya accepted gifts worth some Y3.9 million from 2003 to 2006 in return for favorable treatment in granting contracts to defense trading companies that represented GE in Japan.

Moriya pushed for the ministry's 2004-2005 purchase of five General Electric C-X engines for next-generation Japanese cargo aircraft, media reports alleged.

The deal was handled - without bids - by the contractor Yamada Yoko, which acted as Japanese agent for the Y600 million GE engine at the time, according to the Defense Ministry.

GE's Japan office has said an ongoing internal investigation at the U.S. company hasn't found any illicit conduct among its employees.

Ishiba said the Defense Ministry will investigation and consider reforms.

"It is true the arrest of a top bureaucrat reveals structural faults with defense administration," Ishiba told the talk show. "We must thoroughly discuss reform measures in parliament."

Tuesday, July 3, 2001

Japanese Journalist on Reports of Bad US Military Behavior in Okinawa

CNN NEWS SITE
Japanese Journalist on Reports of Bad US Military Behavior in Okinawa
Aired July 2, 2001 - 16:25 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

JOIE CHEN, CNN ANCHOR: We have talked to you earlier in this hour about the situation in Okinawa in Japan -- that's one of the most southern-most islands in Japan -- where there's a situation, a number of service people, quite a few service people stationed at Okinawa. Now there has been a new accusation of a rape by a U.S. service personnel of a local woman, and this has raised a great deal of passion and concern in this area.

Joining us today is Yoichi Kato, who is from the Japanese newspaper known as the "Asahi Shimbum." And we appreciate your joining us, Mr. Kato, with a little bit more perspective about this story, because there's a lot -- it's a little bit difficult for people in the United States to understand the great deal of emotion about this story.

I mean, after all, tragically, violent crime does occur in this country with some regularity. Why has this case aroused so much concern in Okinawa?

YOICHI KATO, "ASAHI SHIMBUM": Well, first of all, I have to explain that the people in Okinawa think they are overly burdened for hosting U.S. forces on the island. Okinawa island itself has less than 1 percent of land area of Japan, but has 75 percent of all U.S. military installations in Japan. And there has been a number of accidents and crimes by U.S. servicemen.

And -- and in terms of rape, there -- there was a horrible case back in 1995 where a 12-year-old girl was raped by a servicemen, and which triggered strong protests among the people in Okinawa and also people in mainland Japan. So there has been a long history of the sense that the Okinawa people are disproportionately forced to take the burden. And so this -- this rape incident that recently happened just came on top of it.

CHEN: Mr. Kato, we've got questions for you from our live Web chat audience. Jorge Fernandez is asking: "What will happen to Japan and America relations if this is not taken into priority?"

KATO: Well, just as the prime minister, Koizumi, who visited Washington a couple of days ago and had a meeting with President Bush and agreed the importance or significance of alliance, it is now a focus of attention for both countries, whether we can really maintain this alliance, and the presence of the U.S. forces in Japan. And as I said, Okinawa is the biggest kind of -- the host within Japan, and if Okinawan people turn their back to U.S. forces, it's really hard to maintain the present framework.

CHEN: Yoichi Kato from "Asahi Shimbum" newspaper, Japanese newspaper. We appreciate your joining us from Washington today with a little more perspective today on this story, sir, thanks.

KATO: You're welcome.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Friday, September 5, 2008

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Friday, April 25, 2008

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Friday, February 22, 2008

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Tuesday, July 3, 2001

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