People in Okinawa protest alleged sexual assault cases involving US troops

People in Okinawa are coming out in force to protest a series of alleged sexual abuse cases involving US military personnel stationed in the southwestern Japanese prefecture.

A crowd of about 100 gathered on Friday in front of US Kadena Air Base. A local group working to eradicate sexual violence had earlier called on people to rally.

Two suspected cases involving US military personnel in Okinawa came to light this week.

It was revealed that an Air Force member was indicted in March for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting an underage girl last December.

In the other case, a Marine is accused of attempting to sexually assault a woman.

An organizer of the protest was seen telling the other participants that she cannot keep quiet about such incidents.