Okinawa Times and Ryukyu Shimpo wrote that members of the Okinawa Municipal Council for Military Land Conversion and Base Problems, known as Guntenkyo, including Naha Mayor Shiroma, visited the Defense Ministry’s Okinawa bureau on Monday to lodge a protest over the alleged indecent assault by a U.S. Marine in Naha in January. Defense bureau Director Tanaka reportedly told the group that he will call on the U.S. military to educate its personnel and take thorough measures to prevent a recurrence.

The group also requested that low-altitude flight training by U.S. military aircraft not be conducted outside the designated areas. Tanaka reportedly responded by saying the bureau will deal with the matter appropriately by sharing information with the prefectural government. He also said the U.S. military conducts various exercises to maintain its operational capabilities, adding, however, that ensuring the safety of local residents is a prerequisite for such training. Okinawa Times noted that the group also filed a protest with the MOFA Okinawa bureau and U.S. Consul General Robert Koepcke.