TOKYO (AP) -- A U.S. Marine who was arrested in the alleged rape of a teenage girl in southern Japan has been released, Japan's Foreign Ministry said Friday.

Staff Sgt. Tyrone Luther Hadnott, 38, was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old girl on the southern island of Okinawa, triggering a nationwide furor over American troop-related crimes in Japan.

Hadnott was released Friday night as the girl dropped her criminal complaint against him, according to Ryo Fukahori, a ministry official in charge of Japan-U.S. security. As a result, the district prosecutor's office in the prefectural capital of Naha decided to drop charges against Hadnott.

Police earlier said Hadnott had admitted to investigators that he forced the girl down and kissed her, but that he denied raping her.

The Marine's Feb. 10 arrest -- as well as a series of other damaging criminal accusations against some of the 50,000 American troops based in Japan -- have inflamed popular anger at the U.S. military presence.

The U.S. military has since imposed tight new restrictions on troops, their families and civilian expatriates in Okinawa and elsewhere, limiting them to bases, workplaces and off-base housing. The military held a "day of reflection" last week to urge troops not to commit crimes.

The steps were part of a broad U.S. campaign since the alleged rape to soothe feelings as rising anger over the alleged crimes threatened to erupt into widespread protests against the American presence.

Japan also has introduced new security steps to curb crime around bases, including expanded information exchanges between the two countries, as well as installation of surveillance cameras and joint patrols of entertainment districts around bases on Okinawa.

The alleged rape case also topped the agenda during this week's Japan visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who expressed a deep regret over the incident and said she hoped the case will not harm the countries' ties.

Rice was in Tokyo on the third and last leg of an Asian tour that has been dominated by the North Korea issue. She came to Japan to quell outrage over the alleged rape, which might complicate U.S.-Japan cooperation.

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Where can U B safe?
written by Choet Gyneido , March 01, 2008

...She dropped the charges, I hope not to save face...? Who will help her and others whom have suffered such an violent act. Or do we have to read about another US soldier who can't control themselves.

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Another Exploit From Japanese People Of Japanese People
written by Christopher , March 09, 2008

Who will help her? Ask the people that exploited her. The political protesters, the police district that handled the case that now makes a mockery of Japan's justice system, ask the Major of Okinawa City and it's governor, ask the Government of Japan.

And yes, you will read about other US Soldier's mistakes and it won't be because you choose to, it will be because the media WANTS you to read about it and you WILL read about it, like it or not.

Good job Japan, your propaganda machine is still working despite a few hick-ups. I'm sure the Okinawans will forgive your even though you tried to erase history in text books. Keep on pumpin that stuff out!

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...
written by Mike G , April 10, 2008

COMMENT REMOVED: Go elsewhere to post racial hatred.

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