Japanese citizens rally in Tokyo to protest crimes by US Forces in Japan

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Japanese citizens rally in Tokyo to protest crimes by US Forces in Japan

2026-10-15 16:30 Last Updated At：17:35

Japanese citizens gathered near the U.S. embassy in Tokyo on Wednesday evening to protest a recent case in which a U.S. Marine stationed in Japan's Okinawa allegedly robbed and murdered a local woman.

Protesters chanted slogans including "U.S. military bases out of Okinawa" and "U.S. military, stop killing." Police deployed officers and patrol cars to keep order, and at times there was pushing and shoving between officers and protesters.

The incident prompted the Okinawa prefectural assembly to adopt a protest resolution and an opinion statement last Friday, demanding effective measures to prevent a recurrence and a fundamental revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement.

However, the Japanese government has yet to propose any specific plans for revising this agreement.

"I believe the Japanese government has not taken substantial action to address this situation. It merely acts as a messenger, relaying messages between the two sides or verbally expressing protests. Although the government reacted promptly this time, it seems primarily driven by its own calculations. I see no genuine intention to resolve this issue or protect the safety and lives of the people in Okinawa," one participant said.

"It is just because the Japanese government has not properly addressed these issues that similar incidents keep happening. Of course, the U.S. military should be blamed, but the Japanese government, to a large extent, is a facilitator of these problems. We are very angry about this," said another participant.

Despite fierce outrage sparked by the case, Japan and the United States still plan to hold the bilateral joint exercise known as Keen Sword 27 from October 19 to 29.

Some participants said this has raised concerns that the Japanese government values its alliance with the United States above all else.

"It seems that the Japan-U.S. military alliance is more important to the Japanese government. This tendency has further intensified since Sanae Takaichi took office. It is really worrisome and poses significant risks," said a rally participant.

China urges global efforts to halt influx of illicit weapons into Haiti

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations (UN) on Wednesday called for concerted efforts to halt the influx of illicit weapons into Haiti, following the Security Council's renewal of sanctions on the country for another year.

Noting that the situation in Haiti remains grave, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN said that Haitian gangs continue to obtain large quantities of weapons and ammunition from abroad, posing a serious threat to the security of both the Haitian people and international forces.

The sanctions regime itself cannot automatically improve the security situation in Haiti and UN member states must take concrete actions to ensure that the sanctions measures are effectively implemented, he said.

China urges UN member states, especially the main source country of illicit weapons and ammunition entering Haiti, to take urgent and decisive measures to combat arms trafficking at its source, Sun said.

Noting that overcoming Haiti's predicament depends on the country's own political will and concrete efforts, Sun said that all political parties and factions in Haiti must demonstrate a sense of responsibility, strengthen unity, and effectively advance a political process that is Haitian-led and Haitian-owned.

Haitian authorities must genuinely assume primary responsibility for maintaining security and strengthening governance, combating corruption and impunity, and eliminating the conditions that allow violence to flourish, he said.

Together with the international community, China will continue to support the Haitian people in finding the right path out of the crisis at an early date, Sun said.

The Security Council on Wednesday adopted Resolution 2831 to renew the sanctions regime, which includes an arms embargo, travel ban and assets freeze measures, for one year from the date of the adoption of this resolution.