US Navy reviews rules on Japan bases after Okinawa rape accusations

TOKYO (AP) -- Just days before two U.S. Navy sailors were accused of rape on the Japanese island of Okinawa, Navy commanders in Japan eased after-hours restrictions and said the majority of their sailors are "overwhelmingly outstanding."

Now, in his first comments since the incident, one of the commanders has told The Associated Press that decision is under review. But he also stands by his assessment that the U.S. troops under his watch display "exceptionally high standards of professional and personal conduct."

The rape allegation has sparked intense anger on Okinawa, one of America's most important Pacific military outposts. It prompted an immediate apology from the U.S. ambassador, along with a new curfew on all of the roughtly 50,000 U.S. troops in Japan.

The Navy identified the sailors as Seaman Christopher Browning of Athens, Texas, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Skyler Dozierwalker of Muskogee, Okla. Both are assigned to the Naval Air Station at Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base. Base spokesman Don Ray says both are 23 and enlisted in 2008.