Washington - The US has agreed to turn over an American airman to Japanese authorities to face charges concerning the alleged rape of a Japanese woman on the island of Okinawa, a senior US official said last night.
The official said the agreement was expected to become formal when US Ambassador to Japan meets Japanese officials in Tokyo today.
The accusation against Staff Sgt Timothy Woodland (24) has caused friction between the two governments. The US has been negotiating with Japan since the alleged incident last Friday to ensure the legal rights of the suspect are upheld.