US Marine faces trial in Japan over sexual assault

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - A US Marine is standing trial in Japan over allegations of sexual assault resulting in injury, according to Japanese news agency Jiji Press.

The indictment alleges Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, 22, injured a woman in Okinawa prefecture in southernmost Japan on May 26, 2024, by committing violence against her.

During his first hearing on Monday at Naha District Court in Okinawa, Jamel Clayton pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, telling the court that he did not harm or engage in sexual acts with the woman.

During the prosecution’s opening statement, they alleged that Clayton approached a woman and attempted to convince her to go home with him.

Although she declined, he still got into a taxi with her and accompanied her to her partner’s residence. Once there, he followed her inside and allegedly assaulted her while her partner was asleep.

In a separate development, two US Marines were recently detained in Okinawa Prefecture in connection with separate incidents, a hit-and-run and suspected drunk driving.

These events have led the Japanese government to urge the US military to implement preventative measures, according to the Japan Times.

Okinawa, which hosts a significant portion of US military bases in Japan, has long opposed the American presence due to ongoing issues such as aircraft noise, environmental concerns, and crimes involving US service members.