US military members and crimes in Japan?

Question

USFJ Commander states that the rate of off-base crimes committed by members of the U.S. military in Japan is much lower than that for Japanese in general: "We are able to keep the off-base serious crime rate for the U.S. service members to approximately half that of the overall Japanese population."

That is simply rubbish. Another way to look at these numbers is to say that the U.S. military members in Japan, in ONLY a few hours each week away from base still commit a significant percentage of the crime compared with all Japanese who are, of course, "off base" 24 hours a day.

This is shocking and embarrassing. Now, it is time for the US to leave Japan to ensure Japan's security.

Answer 1

Their crime sticks out because of resentment from ordinary Japanese citizens, and it is bad for U.S. military and other U.S. citizens in their own country.  It is a shameful act for sure.  However, I believe that most of the military people stationed in Japan are good people, though.  I am sure that they want to stay their home in America, if they can, but they are in Japan because that's their job.  You said that US  should leave Japan to ensure Japan's security, but they are there to SECURE JAPAN from other would-be-bad Asian countries, you know?  If they leave, Japan will be vulnerable. A few of those who acted wrong all had been punished somehow, just like others.   I don't think it's right to say all the U.S. military members are bad.  

Answer 2

I'm strongly  agree with what GD173's PS part.

I'm Japanese who lives outside Japan.  One day I watched History channel, and it got me to start reading WWII books in library.  I never knew how much the U.S. helped Japan ever since after WWII.  If Japan doesn't want to U.S. bases, then Japan can't never ask for help from U.S. at all.  I hope the Japanese really understand what that mean and good luck for that.

Answer 3

I kind of agree with you.

I think that there should be a major reduction in the US military presence here in Japan. Perhaps the time has come for the Japanese people to assume to total responsibility for the defense of their own country.

The Japanese people, like the people of any other country around the world, should have the right to decide on the best way to defend their country. If the American military is truly unwanted here then they should pack up and leave things up to the Japanese. I'm sure that many US soldiers would be happy to go back home. Why should they be expected to risk their lives for a people that could care less either way.

Japan is a highly developed country. They have to resources to handle (or not to handle if they so choose) their own self-defense. The Japanese government spends alot of money each year helping to cover the operating costs of US basis. If the Japanese feel this is a waste of money then the US should leave just a token military presence and take the rest of their troops out.

PS:

I also think it's kind of funny how many Japanese are against US bases in Japan, but seem to be happy that American troops are here anytime North Korea or China acts up.

Recently, when the US was moving towards taking North Korea of it's list of nations that support terrorism, many Japanese seemed to be upset by this and expressed disapproval.

You can't have it both ways. If you want the US out then fine. But, you can't complain to US about things like kidnappings and any of the other problems your having with the other countries in the region. If many Japanese people are unhappy with the US trying to improve relations with North Korea then their should ask their own government to make their own terrorism list. The Japanese government does not always have to go along with what the US says or does.

Japan has spent the entire post war era living under the protection of the US military. Of course, the United States benefited alot from this and it's own interests in the region were furthered. But, it's hard to deny that the Japanese government and the Japanese people benefited from this protection as well.

Maybe it's time for Japan to move out from the US security umbrella and take control of their own security. Maybe it's time that more Japanese started to be willing to risk their own lives to protect their own country and stop relying on others to do so.

Answer 4

I don't deny your thinking. US military behaviors are mostly very rude and shameless off-base in Japan. They should be stationed at Guam or Hawaii where is actually USA.

Japanese government pays USA about more than 200 billion Yen/year as OMOIYARI budget(as Host Nation Support). It doesn't make sense for independent nation to have fed a expensive but unreliable watchdog too much long time.

Answer 5

I completely agree.