Japan indicts US marine in Okinawa

Japan has indicted a US marine on charges of illegal entry and sexual assault of a woman in the island of Okinawa amid rising anti-US sentiments.

Sergeant Phillip Sawyerr is currently awaiting his trial but no court date has been set.

Sawyerr was arrested earlier this month for allegedly forcing his way into a woman’s apartment and raping her.

Similar incidents in the past have caused demonstrations against the US forces on Okinawa.

The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions on Okinawa over the presence of US bases there.

Violent crimes committed by US soldiers have prompted calls for relocation of American bases off the island.

Japanese people have urged their government to remove the US armed forces from the country altogether.