Report: Japan to Indict Airman for Rape

T O K Y O, July 18 -- A U.S. airman will be indicted on charges of raping a Japanese woman last month, the Kyodonews agency reported, in a case that has created renewed controversy over the massive U.S. military presence on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.

Kyodo, quoting investigation sources, said that U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Timothy Woodland would be indicted on Thursday after a court in the provincial capital of Naha saidthat he must be either released or charged by that time.

The case has brought renewed resentment over the U.S. military presence in Okinawa and fuelled calls for a revision to the agreement between the two nations that governs thetroops.

Okinawa, home to 25,000 U.S. military personnel, is a major forward base for U.S. troops in Asia.

There has also been resentment over alleged U.S. foot dragging in transferring the airman to Japanese custody.

U.S. officials delayed handing over Woodland, 24, until a week after the alleged rape while they sought assurances that he would be treated humanely by Japanese police andprosecutors.

Woodland, stationed at the Kadena Air Base in the prefecture, was arrested on July 6 on suspicion of raping the woman on June 29. He has denied the allegation, saying he hadconsensual sex with the woman.

The Naha District Court on Monday granted an extension of Woodland's detention until July 23 after an initial 10-day period ended. Suspects in Japan have the right to consult a lawyer, but the attorney cannot be present during questioning.

But today, the court withdrew that order.

Japanese authorities can detain suspects for up to 23 daysbefore deciding whether to indict them and some human rightsactivists have complained that the lengthy detention periodgives police and prosecutors time to force confessions out ofsuspects.

Handovers Are Rare

Woodland was only the second U.S. serviceman to be given upto Japanese investigators before formal charges were filed.