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TOKYO?The US Army in Japan is seriously considering court-martial proceedings against a serviceman accused of raping a Filipino woman, a military spokesman said Thursday.
The military has built up a case against Specialist Ronald Hopstock, 25, who is stationed at an air base on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa, the spokesman said.
"In this case, the army prosecutor has conducted an investigation," the spokesman told Agence France-Presse. "He has concluded that there is enough evidence that a crime has been committed. He believes so."
But he said the final decision will not be made before a commander decides to recommend a court-martial or dismiss the charges in accordance with US military law.
Japanese prosecutors in May decided not to pursue the case against the serviceman, saying there was insufficient evidence.
But the case has triggered rallies in the Philippines, where riot police in March broke up a demonstration in front of the US embassy.
The woman told police in February that she was raped by a soldier.
The Filipina was injured and received medical treatment at a hospital after the alleged incident at an Okinawa hotel, according to local police.
The incident occurred only days after the alleged rape of a 14-year-old Japanese girl by a US Marine, which sparked outrage among local residents.
But in contrast to the high-profile case of the minor, the alleged rape of the Filipina has drawn less attention in Japan.
US troops are stationed in Japan under a security treaty with the country, which has been constitutionally pacifist since World War II.
More than half of the 40,000 troops are based in Okinawa, where there have often been tensions with local residents.
