A shocking piece of news caused an uproar in Japan. Brennon Washington, a U.S. soldier stationed in Japan, is suspected of sexually assaulting a Japanese girl under the age of 16.
The U.S. military has long been known as Japan's "protector," but the scandals that have erupted in recent years have cast a shadow over that reputation. What the U.S. soldiers are doing in Japan raises the question: Is such "protection" a blessing or a curse?
In 2016, a U.S. soldier raped and killed a 20-year-old Japanese woman in Okinawa; In 2017, another U.S. soldier killed while driving while drunk; In 2019, several U.S. soldiers were arrested on suspicion of drug use... All of them have pricked the nerves of the Japanese people and made the image of the "protector" more and more distorted.
Faced with such a tricky situation, Japan's response always seemed weak and pale. For national security and geopolitical reasons, Japan has no choice but to maintain its alliance with the United States; The anger and protests of the people cannot be ignored. This dilemma is reminiscent of Sisyphus, who carried a boulder in ancient Greek mythology. No matter how hard you try, you can't reach the ideal balance.
Japan's predicament also reflects a deeper problem: a huge challenge not only for Japan, but for many countries around the world.
The U.S. response to the incident has also sparked widespread discussion. When the incident occurs in another country, the United States often regards itself as a "human rights defender" and criticizes and accuses it. However, when a similar incident happens to me, I can always find all kinds of excuses to shirk responsibility. This double standard is reminiscent of George Orwell's famous quote in Animal Farm: "All animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
This kind of behavior not only damages the international image of the United States, but also makes people question: In today's world, is the rule of law and justice dominant, or is it power and interests that dominate?
This harrowing incident has once again sounded the alarm. It reminds us that peace and justice require everyone to work together. Whether it's the sector, the military, or the general population, we all have a responsibility to do our part to create a safer and more just society.
We also need to recognize that change doesn't happen overnight. It requires long-term effort and persistence. But as long as we persevere, one day, we will see a real "protector" image. Not by force, but by mutual respect and shared values.
Let's work together to do our part to build a better world!