The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Tokyo

Japan vowed to crackdown on crimes involving American troops based in the country after a surprise decision by prosecutors not to pursue rape charges against a US Marine, reports said Saturday.

Staff Sergeant Tyrone Luther Hadnott, who had been accused of raping a 14-year-old, was freed from custody late Friday after the girl's family decided not to pursue the case.

The initial case against Hadnott -- who was released 18 days after his arrest on the southern island of Okinawa -- triggered outrage in Japan and reignited controversy surrounding the presence of thousands of US troops.

Hadnott, 38, was immediately taken into custody by the US military, which said it would conduct its own inquiry.

Prosecutors said the girl's family had decided not to pursue the allegations against Hadnott as the girl did not want to be part of a high-profile case.