Okinawa protest targets U.S. forces
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Several thousand Okinawa residents angry over recent reports of crimes allegedly committed by U.S. troops held a loud but peaceful protest, with many demanding the troops be withdrawn from the island.
The protest was followed by a march to the gate of a nearby U.S. Marine base.
The demonstration was sparked by recent reports of U.S. troop-related crimes, including the arrest of a Marine for allegedly assaulting a 14-year-old Okinawan girl in February. The Marine was released from Japanese custody and no charges were filed.
Okinawa is home to roughly half of the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan.
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