The Okinawa Prefecture government on Thursday filed a protest with a senior U.S. Air Force officer over an alleged sexual assault by an American pilot.
The suspect, 25-year-old Brennon Washington, has been charged for allegedly kidnapping the girl and committing non-consensual sexual intercourse in December last year.
At the prefectural office, Takekuni Ikeda, Okinawa’s vice governor, told Brig. Gene. Nicholas Evans, commander of the US 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base in the prefecture, said the incident was serious and malicious, as it violated the victim’s human rights, and could not be forgiven.
Evans expressed concern and regret over the incident and said the U.S. side would cooperate with the investigation and legal process, but he did not apologize.
Ikeda said he could not help but notice that education and management at US bases in the prefecture are inadequate.
He also criticized the US side for not providing enough information on the matter.
The deputy governor demanded quick and effective steps to prevent a similar case, an apology to the victim and compensation for her as soon as possible.
After the meeting with the deputy governor, Evans told reporters that the suspect has been released on bail but is being held at the Kadena base.
