Photo/Illutration U.S. service members patrol the streets of Kin, Okinawa Prefecture. (Provided by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

In response to a string of recent sexual assaults involving U.S. service members in Okinawa Prefecture, U.S. Forces Japan pledged to establish a “venue for the constructive exchange of ideas” involving the U.S. military, local officials and residents.

“In coordination with the Japanese government, we will create a new forum for cooperation between U.S. Forces Japan leaders, the Okinawan government and community members,” Ricky Rupp, commander of U.S. Forces Japan, said in a statement released on July 22.

In the statement, Rupp also reported that the frequency of sobriety checkpoints around U.S. installations has been increased, and USFJ plans to up U.S. military police patrols in Okinawa.

The new forum's details remain unclear, but the Japanese side responded positively.

“This shows their commitment to preventing a recurrence of these incidents,” said Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki. “I urge the new steps to be more effective in preventing them from happening again.”

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said on July 23 that "the government will fully cooperate to ensure constructive discussions take place with the local community."

In 2000, a working team was created for the U.S. military, the prefecture and the national government to discuss measures to prevent crimes by U.S. service members.

However, the working team hasn't met since April 2017, which led Tamaki to call for the resumption of the framework, particularly in the aftermath of the recent incidents.

Okinawan outrage has flared since June when multiple sexual assault cases involving U.S. service members came to light, particularly because these cases had not been disclosed to the media or local officials.

According to the prefectural police, in July three more U.S. military personnel were arrested for drunk driving in Okinawa.

In response, the III Marine Expeditionary Force announced on July 20 that it is conducting alcohol checks at all Marine Corps bases in Japan.

Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, said that U.S. forces, as guests staying in Japan, must be the best neighbors and partners of the hosting communities.

(This article was written by Taro Ono and Satsuki Tanahashi.)

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