Visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill expressed his regret Thursday to Japanese government officials in Tokyo over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old Okinawa girl by a U.S. Marine last week.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Shinichi Nishimiya, director general of the North American Affairs Bureau of the Foreign Ministry, Hill said, "This is a very difficult situation and I wanted to express my regrets and my concerns over the feeling of people in Okinawa."
The U.S. military has been subjected to severe criticism following a series of alleged offenses by American servicemen in Okinawa.