The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly building in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, on July 12, 2024. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A U.S. Marine is suspected of sexually assaulting and injuring a woman in Okinawa in June, according to Okinawa Prefectural Police, the third case of its type to surface on the island this year.

Police forwarded a case on Thursday against a 20-year-old man to the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office said by phone that day.

The Marine is suspected of non-consensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury, a spokesman for the police investigative team said by phone Thursday. He declined to identify the Marine, saying doing so may affect the investigation.

He said the incident occurred on Okinawa, and that medical personnel who treated the woman reported it to police.

He said the Marine and the woman were acquaintances but declined to say how they knew each other.

Some government officials in Japan are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. In Japan, police forward cases of alleged criminal conduct to area prosecutors for a charging decision.

The Marine is not in Japanese custody, but is confined to military installations in Japan, according to spokesman for the III Marine Expeditionary Force.

“The Marine Corps is aware of an allegation of criminal misconduct by an Okinawa-based Marine, and we are fully cooperating with all appropriate authorities during the ongoing investigation,” said 1st Lt. Owen Hitchcock, spokesman for III Marine Expeditionary Force, in an email Thursday to Stars and Stripes.

Hitchcock declined to identify the Marine, his unit or duty station.

“The alleged behavior does not reflect the core values of the U.S. Marine Corps, nor does it represent the conduct of the overwhelming majority of Okinawa-based Marines. The Marine Corps goes to great lengths to instill these values in every Marine through regular education and training throughout their service and we take these allegations seriously,” his email states.

This case follows indictments of two U.S. service members on separate charges of sexual assault and attempted sexual assault that came to light over the summer and roiled Okinawa.

Senior Airman Brennon R.E. Washington pleaded not guilty July 12 in Naha District Court to charges of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor in December. Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton was charged in May with attempting to sexually assault a woman in Yomitan.

Those cases led to formal complaints from the prefecture to the U.S. Embassy, U.S. military and the Japanese government and calls for changes to the status of forces agreement governing the U.S. military population in Japan.

The prefectural government, led by Gov. Denny Tamaki, also complained that it was kept in the dark about the two indictments and other reports against service members who were not charged.

Japan’s investigative authorities announced in July that they would begin sharing more information about criminal cases involving U.S. service members with local governments as much as possible.

This case is the first under that agreement.

“We believe that the notification was made in accordance (with the agreement),” the Military Affairs Division spokeswoman said.

U.S. Forces Japan commander Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp announced in July a “new forum of cooperation” with the Japanese and Okinawan governments and community members.

The Marine Corps has increased courtesy patrols in Okinawa’s popular nightlife spots and instituted near-100% outbound sobriety checks at all its Japan installations on weekends in response to the incidents.

Rupp, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and III MEF commander Lt. Gen. Roger Turner have called for consistent liberty policies for all U.S. troops in Japan. But so far, no changes have been announced.