Little progress is reported in Japan-U.S. talks on legal proceedings in the alleged rape of an Okinawan woman by a U.S. serviceman. A hitch has developed over the demand by U.S. authorities for greater protection of the suspect's rights.
The Japanese government is hoping to have the suspect delivered from U.S. custody so that prosecutors can carry out a pre-indictment investigation. It also wants to prevent a flareup in Japanese public sentiment against U.S. military bases. U.S. authorities, however, are demanding the presence of defense counsel and U.S.-provided interpreters during interrogations of the suspect to guarantee transparency.
Japanese authorities have explained the differences between the Japanese and U.S. judicial systems, insisting that no special treatment can be permitted for the suspect. The judicial system involves national sovereignty and, understandably, Japanese authorities are unwilling to accept the U.S. demand.