Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated today: "In light of the robbery and murder committed by a U.S. Marine in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture on October 3, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned U.S. Ambassador George Glass and lodged a formal protest. The suspect, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, is reported to have robbed and killed a woman at a hotel."
Japan expressed deep regret over the occurrence of such a heinous and brutal crime, conveying strong indignation and a solemn protest. On this basis, Japan has called upon the United States to fully cooperate with the investigation, and has urged the U.S. side to rigorously enforce discipline among military personnel, while taking concrete measures to prevent recurrence of similar incidents.
Commentary: The Japanese Foreign Ministry’s summoning of the U.S. ambassador and formal protest may appear firm on the surface, but it reflects standard diplomatic response following a crisis—primarily aimed at addressing public discontent in Okinawa. However, the scope of negotiation remains limited to cooperation in investigations and military discipline, without confronting the core issue of extraterritorial judicial privileges under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Constrained by the realities of the bilateral alliance, the Japanese government refrains from provoking the United States over ordinary citizens’ safety concerns. As long as the SOFA continues to grant special legal privileges to U.S. military personnel, repeated summonses and protests will only address individual cases, failing to effectively constrain behavior. Ultimately, the security of Okinawan residents remains subordinate to the broader strategic interests of the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1878114033384714/
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