Rice to face Japan protest on military discipline

By Isabel Reynolds

TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will face complaints about U.S. military discipline when she arrives in Tokyo next week, Japan's top government spokesman said on Monday, after a string of crimes blamed on Marines in Okinawa.

Two Marines were arrested on the southern Japan island at the weekend, one accused of trespassing and the other of drink driving, while the U.S. military sought to assuage anger over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl by a Marine a week earlier.

That case has rekindled memories of mass rallies against U.S. bases that followed the rape of a 12-year-old girl in 1995.

Rice plans to visit Japan after attending the inauguration of South Korean President-elect Lee Myung-bak in Seoul on Feb. 25.

"We must use the occasion to call for deep reflection," Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura told reporters on Monday. "This is extremely regrettable. I am very angry."

A 38-year-old Marine, Tyrone Hadnott, was arrested last Monday on suspicion of raping the girl in a car. He denied rape but admitted forcing her to kiss him, police have said.

Lawmakers on Okinawa have called for a reduction of the U.S. military presence.

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda told ruling party executives on Monday he would strongly complain to the United States and demand steps to prevent such crimes in future, Kyodo news agency reported.