Residents of Okinawa gathered on December 22 to protest a string of sexual assault incidents involving US soldiers that have occurred in the southwestern Japanese prefecture since last year.

S/ Sakihama Sorane, University student / Why must we be deprived of youth just because we were born in Okinawa, because there are bases here? What we're seeking is an ordinary wish to live in peace. That's all.

Organizers said more than 2,500 people took part in the event in the city of Okinawa.

The participants adopted a resolution through applause, calling for apologies and compensation to the victims and for drastic revisions to the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement.

Earlier this month, a US Air Force serviceman was convicted of abducting and sexually assaulting an underage girl in Okinawa in December last year.