U.S. To Turn Sailor Over To Japanese

The United States agreed Friday to surrender a sailor accused of slashing a Japanese woman’s throat, in the first implementation of an accord reached last year after a gang rape by U.S. servicemen.

The two governments agreed in October to give Japanese authorities greater leeway in seeking custody of U.S. servicemen suspected of crimes in Japan. Previously, U.S. service members were turned over to Japanese authorities only after a formal indictment.

Tuesday’s attack in southwestern Japan, by a sailor allegedly intent on robbing the woman, has increased the resentment felt since the rape of a 12-year-old girl on Okinawa last September. Three U.S. servicemen were convicted in the rape.

The sailor, whose name was withheld, is assigned to the missile frigate USS McClusky.