In spring 2021, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis was driving his family on an excursion to Mt. Fuji when tragedy stuck. Slumped over the wheel, he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into an elderly woman and her son-in-law, both of whom later died from their injuries.
Tried in Japanese courts, Alkonis claimed that he was suffering from acute mountain sickness and that he became light-headed and passed out due to the altitude. Prosecutors argued that he fell asleep at the wheel and should have pulled over if he felt tired.
The Japanese courts have a nearly 99% conviction rate. In a system largely based on social shaming, those charged are expected to show remorse, plead for forgiveness, and pay restitutions while accepting their punishment which often includes being subjected to human rights abuses due to the inhumane conditions found in Japanese prisons.
Pleading one's innocence is frowned upon in the Japanese legal system. In Aug. 2022, he was sentenced to three years in prison, the courts rejecting the argument that Alkonis suffered from mountain sickness despite a neurologist's confirmation.
His wife Brittany has taken to Washington D.C. to protest her husband's treatment in Japan and demand lawmakers get involved. She has received help from Rep. Mike Levin of California and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, although Lee has commented that negotiations are complicated because Japan is a strong ally of the United States.
Alkonis had served seven years in Japan as a underseas warfare and acoustic engineering at the time of the crash.
Reach Jack Murphy: jack@connectingvets.com or @JackMurphyRGR.
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