BBC News Online: World: Asia-Pacific

Pressure builds over Okinawa 'rape'

Police identified the suspect as a Timothy B Woodland, a 24-year-old staff sergeant stationed at Kadena air base.

If the US side agrees to the Japanese demand, Mr Woodland could be turned over to Okinawan police as early as Tuesday.

The suspect has denied the charges, but the police say they have fingerprint evidence linking him to the crime.

They also have accounts from witnesses, including some of the suspect's companions.

Japanese Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka renewed her protest over the alleged rape.

"This kind of crime is extremely deplorable and should never have happened," she said in a statement.

Anger

The incident has rekindled antipathy toward the huge US military presence in Okinawa and threatens to sour relations following the weekend summit between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and US President George W Bush at Camp David.

Mr Koizumi, who is visiting the United States, Britain and France, said: "I hope the two countries will find a solution through calm discussion, bearing in mind each other's public sentiment."

Politicians in Okinawa have expressed anger and frustration at continuing crimes by US forces, 25,000 of whom are stationed on the island.

The governor of Okinawa has called for a reduction in US troops and asked for a revision to a US-Japan military pact that prevents American servicemen from being handed to local police except when the crime is serious.

Local people havbe been angered by a string of sexual attacks by US servicemen, including the 1995 gang-rape of a 12-year-old girl.

The US says the Okinawa bases, within striking distance of China and the Korean Peninsula, are essential for its security strategy in Asia and the Pacific.