Lawmakers in Japan 'indignant' at alleged US rape

TOKYO (AFP) - Local lawmakers in Okinawa passed a resolution on Monday expressing "overwhelming indignation" at the alleged rape of a Japanese woman by two US servicemen, as temperatures rose over the large US presence.

The resolution, passed unanimously by the island chain's assembly, said US military top brass were not doing enough to control their thousands of personnel.

"Yet another incident has taken place. In fact, the severity of the incidents is intensifying," it said. "With overwhelming indignation, we must question the present efforts of the US Forces to prevent such incidents from happening."

The arrest last week of two 23-year-old sailors for the alleged rape of a local woman worsened already strained ties between the large US military contingent and their reluctant island hosts.