A public affairs officer of the US Air Force's 18th Wing has issued a comment to NHK saying the unit understands and shares the concerns of the community about the alleged sexual assault by one of its Wing members.
Brennon Washington was indicted for sexually assaulting an underage girl in the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa.
The comment says, "Wing leadership is deeply concerned by the severity of this alleged crime." It also says that the unit "has worked diligently with local authorities to investigate the allegations thoroughly while ensuring due legal process under applicable laws and agreements."
The statement says that all US service members are expected to uphold the highest standards, and the US military is committed to holding people convicted of criminal acts accountable.