"I am from Japan and a member of the Women's Network against military bases.

 

In Japan, US and Japanese government are now trying to expand and strengthen the US bases in Japan.

According to their insisting, they are necessary for counter-terrorism. But, from the view point of women, the real terrorist has been US military. Many women have been raped, injured, and killed by US soldiers. For example, more than 8 women got killed only around Iwakuni US base. 

 

Although from the viewpoint of women's experiences, it is US military who has been real terrorists, Japanese government has neglected such women's suffering.  

In October 2007, a 19-year-old woman was gang raped by 4 US soldiers in Hidoshima. In February 2008, junior high school girl and a Filipina entertainer were assaulted also by US soldiers in Okinawa.

 

Nevertheless, Japanese Public Prosecutor's Office dropped those cases and the US court martial handed down a not guilty verdict to the perpetrators.

They didn't regard the cases as rape but "inappropriate sexual contacts".

 

Japanees mass media also accused the raped girls of being bad women and girls.  We are determined to fight against such violence against women and US-Japan military alliance".