[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 118 (Monday, July 18, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E747-E748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           LT. RIDGE ALKONIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE LEVIN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 18, 2022

  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express deep 
concern about the Japanese government's handling of the case of Lt. 
Ridge Alkonis, a U.S. Navy officer stationed at Yokosuka Naval Base.
  Last Wednesday, the Tokyo High Court denied Lt. Alkonis' appeal to 
suspend a three-year prison sentence. I am deeply troubled with the 
treatment of Lt. Alkonis throughout the case.
  Lt. Alkonis has served three tours of duty in Japan. Before he was in 
the Navy, he volunteered in Japan for two years. He has a deep 
appreciation for the country and its people.
  In May 2021, Lt. Alkonis and his family were on their way home from 
hiking on Mount Fuji. Tragically, Lt. Alkonis lost control of his 
vehicle. We would later learn from a U.S. Navy physician that the 
unfortunate event was due to Acute Mountain Sickness causing Lt. 
Alkonis to lose consciousness, impacting his ability to drive. However, 
as a result, two bystanders heartbreakingly had their lives taken.
  Lt. Alkonis is remorseful for the medical incident that caused the 
events of that day. He has offered $1.65 million in extrajudicial 
restitution to the victims' families, a gesture expected in Japan. This 
is beyond the family's means, but those who care about them have 
rallied together to make it possible.
  I've been extremely upset to learn that the case was not conducted in 
a way that was fair to Lt. Alkonis.
  The treatment of our servicemembers in Japan is governed by the 
Status of Forces Agreement between our government and the Japanese 
government. This agreement requires our servicemembers to be released 
to the U.S. military during trial unless they are a flight risk. Lt. 
Alkonis clearly was not. Instead of being released as he was supposed 
to be, he was held for the maximum time period allowed, 26 days, over 
the objections of our government.
  During those 26 days, Lt. Alkonis was not treated properly, and 
Japanese investigators' actions had an impact on the outcome of the 
trial. According to Lt. Alkonis's family, he was kept under bright 
lights in his cell for the purpose of sleep deprivation, withheld 
adequate translation services, and denied a lawyer during key 
questioning. Critically, the Japanese police refused Lt. Alkonis 
medical care and a timely medical evaluation. By refusing to conduct 
this test, investigators ensured they would not have evidence that 
would explain Lt. Alkonis's sudden loss of consciousness.
  I understand that our Embassy in Tokyo has been monitoring this case. 
I strongly urge them to do more to support a servicemember in need.
  My office has been working with the Department of the Navy and the 
Office of the Secretary of Defense to support Lt. Alkonis and

[[Page E748]]

his parents, Suzanne and Derek, throughout his case. We supported Lt. 
Alkonis's case with the Department of Defense and also helped his 
family get visas so they could be with him in Japan for the trial. As I 
do, the Navy believes that this is the wrong sentence for Lt. Alkonis. 
I will not be giving up on Lt. Alkonis and the Department of Defense 
must not either.

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