Senior US Airman Sentenced to Five Years of Hard Labor For Sexual Assault of I5 Year Old Girl in Japan

In a case that has reignited tensions between U.S. military personnel and local residents in Okinawa, Japan, Senior Airman Brennon Richard Edward Washington, 25, has been sentenced to five years in prison with hard labor for a heinous crime that has shocked both American and Japanese communities. That crime, sexual assault of a minor. 

The Incident

On Christmas Eve 2023, Washington, stationed at Kadena Air Base, committed an act that would not only derail his military career but also strain U.S.-Japan relations. 

The incident for which Washington was convicted occurred as follows: He approached the girl at a park in Yomitan, Okinawa, and then invited her to speak with him in his car. He next drove the girl to his residence off base, where he sexually assaulted her.

The victim testified that she used English, Japanese, and hand gestures to inform Washington that she was 15 years old. She also stated that she had repeatedly told him to stop in both English and Japanese.

Washington contends that the intimate acts were consensual and that he believed the girl to be 18. However, the court found the girl to be credible, supported in part by security camera footage from the park.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Washington was indicted on March 27, 2024, on charges of kidnapping and sexual assault.

The case, however, didn’t come to light until June, sparking outrage among local officials and residents over the delayed disclosure.

The trial commenced on July 12, with Washington maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings. On December 13, 2024, the Naha District Court found him guilty. Judge Sato, in delivering the verdict, noted the severity of the crime and Washington’s lack of remorse.

Despite prosecutors pushing for a seven-year sentence, the court handed down a five-year prison term with hard labor.

 The judge stated, “Based on the severity of the circumstances, there are no mitigating factors in this situation. He has no sign of remorse or apology, but we also took into consideration that he had no prior offenses.”

Fallout and Implications

The case of Senior Airman Brennon Washington, who was sentenced to five years in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor in Okinawa, has several potential implications. This incident is likely to heighten tensions with local residents, exacerbating existing opposition to the presence of American forces on the island1. It has already triggered fresh anti-base sentiment in Okinawa, which hosts the majority of U.S. military facilities in Japan.

The case has also led to calls for changes to the status of forces agreement governing U.S. military personnel in Japan. Furthermore, it sparked criticism of information-sharing practices, as local police and the central government initially failed to disclose the incident to the Okinawa prefectural government. This has resulted in a review of information-sharing arrangements, with promises to improve notification procedures.

The incident has also increased scrutiny of U.S. military conduct and may strain diplomatic relations between Japan and the United States. As a result, local officials are engaging with U.S. military representatives to ensure better preventive measures are in place to avoid similar incidents in the future10. Overall, this case highlights the complex and often tense relationship between the U.S. military presence and the local community in Okinawa, as well as its impact on the broader Japan-U.S. alliance.

Historical Context

The case of Senior Airman Brennon Washington is sadly not an isolated incident but part of a troubling history of sexual crimes committed by U.S. military personnel in Okinawa and Japan. This pattern of behavior has deep historical roots, creating long-standing tensions between the local population and the U.S. military presence on the island.

During and immediately after World War II, sexual violence against Okinawan women was widespread. It is estimated that at least 10,000 women were raped during the Battle of Okinawa by both Japanese and U.S. servicemen. The issue continued during the U.S. occupation, with reports in the late 1940s, including a 1949 Time magazine article that detailed 18 rape cases committed by U.S. soldiers in just six months.

Even after Okinawa’s return to Japanese control in 1972, the problem persisted. Since then, there have been 6,163 criminal cases involving U.S. military personnel in Okinawa, including 134 rape cases and 27 murders. Among these incidents, the 1995 kidnapping and rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl by three U.S. servicemen stands out as a particularly infamous case. This incident sparked massive protests and led to changes in the Status of Forces Agreement regarding how U.S. military suspects are handled by local authorities.

Unfortunately, the problem is ongoing. In 2023 alone, there were 118 criminal cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan, with 72 occurring in Okinawa. These crimes range from drunk driving to sexual assault. Local women’s groups, such as Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence, have worked to document these crimes, uncovering hundreds of cases dating back to 1945. However, many incidents remain unreported due to fear, stigma, and social pressure.

The case of Brennon Washington serves as a stark reminder of this persistent pattern of sexual crimes, the challenges of addressing them, and the strain they place on U.S.-Japan relations. For the people of Okinawa, these incidents are more than isolated events—they are part of a long and painful history that continues to affect their trust and feelings toward the U.S. military presence.

A three-judge panel found Senior Airman Brennon Richard Edward Washington, 25, of Kadena Air Base, guilty of kidnapping and sexually assaulting the girl after picking her up in a Yomitan park and taking her to his home on Dec. 24, 2023.https://t.co/gmdUSdGkAD

— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) December 14, 2024

Military Response

The U.S. military’s response to the case of Senior Airman Brennon Washington has involved several key actions. The 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base worked closely with local authorities throughout the investigation and legal proceedings, emphasizing their cooperation. They acknowledged the seriousness of the crime and expressed deep concern about the harm caused, stating that sexual assault is abhorrent and condemning Washington’s actions. Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, the commander of the 18th Wing, personally expressed his distress over the incident and its impact on the victim and her family.

The military also reaffirmed its expectations for service members to uphold the highest standards of behavior, emphasizing that Washington’s actions do not reflect the values of the majority of U.S. service members who serve honorably in Okinawa. They reiterated their commitment to supporting the Japan-U.S. alliance and empathized with the local community’s outrage.

However, the response has faced criticism, particularly regarding transparency. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki expressed shock that the local government had to learn about this and similar incidents indirectly. This pointed to a breakdown in communication between the U.S. military and local authorities, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the information-sharing system.

Summary

Senior Airman Brennon Washington’s case is a harsh reminder of the tough challenges U.S. forces still grapple with while stationed abroad. It underscores the critical importance of maintaining discipline, respecting local laws and customs, and fostering positive relationships with host communities.

 As this case unfolds, it will likely prompt further discussions about the U.S. military presence in Okinawa and the mechanisms in place to prevent such incidents. The U.S. military leadership must take decisive action to address these issues, not only to maintain operational readiness but also to preserve the crucial alliance between the United States and Japan.

The repercussions of this case will undoubtedly be felt for years to come, serving as a somber reminder of the responsibilities that come with wearing the uniform and representing one’s country abroad. It’s a painful lesson that the actions of one individual can have far-reaching consequences, affecting international relations and the lives of countless others.