Crimes allegedly committed by US military personnel have continued to strain relations between Japan and its close security ally, particularly in Okinawa, where a large concentration of US military forces is stationed.

The issue resurfaced on Wednesday when Okinawa Governor Genta Koja met Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Tokyo to discuss the latest incident involving a US serviceman.

Koja said the case had caused “deep anxiety” among residents of Okinawa and reiterated concerns over the conduct and discipline of US forces stationed on the island.

Governor demands action from US military

During the meeting, Koja said the prefectural government had repeatedly called on the US military to introduce measures to prevent similar incidents whenever a case involving US personnel occurred.

He expressed concern that the recurrence of such incidents raised questions about the effectiveness of discipline and human rights education within the US military.

“The prefectural government has repeatedly demanded that the US military take measures to prevent a recurrence every time an incident occurs,” Koja said.

He added that the latest case had led the prefectural government to conclude that “discipline within the US forces and their human rights education are not functioning at all.”

Koja was also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi later on Wednesday to discuss the matter.

Japan seeks preventive measures

Defence Minister Koizumi acknowledged the concerns raised by the Okinawa governor and said the Japanese government would engage the United States over measures aimed at preventing similar incidents.

Koizumi said he would “advance discussions with the United States on how to implement effective measures” to prevent such incidents from occurring.

The issue is particularly sensitive in Okinawa, where the presence of US military bases has been a longstanding source of concern among some residents.

Previous cases involving US personnel

The latest incident follows several serious cases involving US military personnel in Japan.

Last year, a Japanese court sentenced a US Marine accused of choking and attempting to rape a woman in her 20s to seven years in prison.

In 2017, a former US Marine and civilian military base worker was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a local woman in Okinawa.

That same year, US Forces Japan imposed a ban on alcohol consumption for its personnel after an intoxicated US Marine crashed his vehicle into a mini-truck, killing its 61-year-old Japanese driver.

Long-running source of tension

Okinawa hosts a significant share of US military facilities in Japan, making relations between local communities and US forces an important issue for both Tokyo and Washington.

Japanese officials have repeatedly sought measures aimed at reducing incidents involving US personnel, while Okinawan authorities have called for greater accountability and preventive measures.

The latest meeting between Koja and Koizumi is expected to form part of broader discussions between Japan and the United States over discipline, safety and the conduct of American military personnel stationed in the country.