Photo/Illutration Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi during a news conference on July 5 (Takeshi Iwashita)

The government formally announced it will share information with Okinawa Prefecture in the future about sex crimes involving U.S. service personnel, even if they are not publicized by investigative authorities.

The policy step, announced July 5, follows an uproar over revelations Tokyo did not inform authorities in the southern island prefecture of several cases that occurred since last year, even after some suspects were indicted.

The issue is particularly sensitive in view of fierce local sentiment against U.S. bases.

“We noted there is a need to consider prompt responses to prevent crimes by U.S. military personnel in Okinawa, where about 70 percent of facilities exclusively used by the U.S. military in Japan are concentrated,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said July 5.

Tokyo previously cited the need to protect the privacy of victims, but prefectural officials protested, saying information disclosure was vital as a preventive step.

Reacting to the Okinawan anger, the government pledged to share information with relevant local entities on crimes involving U.S. service members that are “not proactively published by investigative authorities.”

Under the policy, investigative authorities will share information with the foreign and defense ministries, which will then relay the details to local governments.

The information is expected to be provided to the Foreign Ministry after prosecutors decide whether to indict the suspects.

Government sources said information will not be provided to local governments if prosecutors decide against bringing formal charges for lack of sufficient evidence.

Hayashi said the government will stop providing information if it is handled “in an inappropriate manner.”

Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano met U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel on July 5 to renew his call to strengthen discipline at U.S. military facilities and prevent a recurrence.

In a related move, Okinawa authorities said July 5 that the prefectural police had agreed to promptly inform officials of sex crimes involving U.S. service members after suspects are arrested or indicted.

Police pledged to share information “as much as possible” after consulting with prosecutors, even about incidents not divulged to the media to protect the privacy of victims.

Prefectural officials said they will alert residents and call on the U.S. military and the central government to strengthen discipline while considering the privacy of victims and the impact on investigations.

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki welcomed the moves by the prefectural police and the central government.

“It is a step forward,” he told reporters on July 5.

Tamaki said it will be possible to ask residents to take precautions, by providing the minimum necessary information from the viewpoint of privacy protection, and call for stricter discipline from the U.S. side.

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