US airman sentenced to five years for kidnapping and assaulting teen girl in Okinawa

A U.S. airman, Brennon Washington, was sentenced to five years in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a girl under 16 in Okinawa last December. The case was not disclosed to local authorities until June, prompting public protests. Following the incident, the Japanese central government revised its information-sharing policies. It pledged to inform local governments of any crimes involving U.S. military personnel without exception. Washington, stationed at Kadena Air Base, lured the girl to his car and assaulted her at his home. Under Japanese law, sexual activity with anyone under 16 is illegal, regardless of consent.