U.S. Marine Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Sexual Assault by Japanese Court

A Japanese court announced on Wednesday that it found a U.S. Marine guilty of sexually assaulting a woman on Okinawa, resulting in a prison sentence that has stirred anger and concern about safety on the heavily U.S.-militarized island. The Naha District Court sentenced Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, 22, of Ohio, to seven years in prison. Clayton was convicted of attacking a woman in her 20s in the village of Yomitan in May 2024.

According to reports, he choked her from behind and perpetrated sexual assault, causing her injuries. During the sentencing, Judge Kazuhiko Obata emphasized the credibility of the victim’s testimony, which was provided anonymously through a remote system, even as Clayton maintained his innocence. Prosecutors had sought a 10-year sentence. This case is one of several sexual assault incidents that have sparked outrage over law enforcement’s handling of such actions, particularly in relation to American military personnel.

Local authorities had initially withheld information on several arrests to protect victims’ privacy, leading to accusations of cover-ups. Okinawa has a complex history as a site of significant World War II battles and has been under U.S. military oversight since 1972. Currently, about 50,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Japan, with a disproportionate 70% of military facilities located on the small island, which constitutes only 0.6% of Japan’s landmass. The local population has expressed frustration over ongoing issues, including noise, pollution, crime, and accidents linked to the military presence.

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani raised concerns about the recent spate of sexual assault cases involving U.S. service members during a meeting with Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, the commander of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. Calls for reform have increased, particularly regarding the Status of Forces Agreement that allows the U.S. to investigate accidents and crimes occurring in Japan. Furthermore, Japanese prosecutors recently dropped cases against over 300 U.S. service members between 2014 and 2024, including a sexual assault case from Okinawa in 2020.