U.S. Navy Officer Ridge Alkonis killed two Japanese citizens—an 85-year-old woman and her 54-year-old son-in-law—in a car accident during a trip to Mount Fuji. When the story of Alkonis first broke on 29 May 2021, it did not garner much attention in Japan. However, on 13 January 2024, CNN anchor Jake Tapper wrote a celebratory tweet and uploaded a photo of a smiling Alkonis and his wife. In response, the Japanese public went into an online outrage with comments like “Why are you celebrating?”

Regarding this incident, Professor James D. Brown of Temple University commented that Japanese politicians and mainstream media have little incentive to amplify the conflict. He claims, “To do so would aggravate the damage to U.S.-Japan relations when there is widespread recognition in Japan that, despite its iniquities, the alliance with the United States remains essential to Japan’s security.” In addition, despite the frustration over the outcome of the Alkonis case, Jeffrey Hall of the Kanda University of International Studies mentioned that “The Alkonis incident underlines that even when parties and presidents change in the United States, this sense of inequality persists.”

According to CBS News, the Parole Commission concluded that Alkonis’s conviction was “most similar in the U.S. criminal code to involuntary manslaughter.” Alkonis’s wife, Brittany Alkonis, expressed her anger, “This is the most egregious action against a service member in 60 years.” In response to this incident, Tapper’s reaction may be deemed inappropriate. Conversations about such occurrences should be handled with sensitivity, acknowledging the tragedy and understanding the importance of legal systems in addressing wrongdoing and ensuring justice.

The relationship between the United States and Japan has been experiencing some turbulence. According to BBC News, a public opinion poll conducted in 2023, revealed that 70% of Okinawan residents feel the concentration of U.S. bases is unfair. The occurrence and publicity of such events have resulted in temporary closures of U.S. bases to avoid contact with locals. Additionally, senior U.S. military leaders engaged with the governor to offer apologies. However, university student Yui Tamura, 24, told BBC in an interview that while she found Tapper’s tweet “extremely shocking,” she shares that bases are “inevitable.”

Recent events have sparked discussions about accountability and legal considerations. Cmdr. Katharine Cerezo responds that the Navy had “provided and will continue to provide Lieutenant Alkonis and his family with all support consistent with U.S. law and regulations.” She concludes, “This was a tragic event, and we recognize its impact on the families of everyone involved.”