A sailor who was convicted of fatally beating a Japanese woman was ordered by Yokohama District Court on Wednesday to pay approximately 65 million yen — about $685,000 — in compensation, but the court rejected her family’s claim that the U.S. Navy had a responsibility to prevent the crime.

Yoshie Sato’s family was seeking 200 million yen in compensation from Airman William Reese and the Japanese government.

The family took civil action against the Japanese government under a provision of the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement that compensates victims for damages inflicted by U.S. servicemembers conducting official duties.

They claimed that although Reese was off duty when he attacked Sato in 2006, a preceding rash of crimes by servicemembers should have prompted the Navy to crack down.

Wednesday’s ruling stated that crimes committed by U.S. servicemembers are rising and cannot be ignored but contended the Navy did not have supervisory responsibility of Reese during his off-duty hours, said the family’s attorney, Yoshihito Shinohara.

The judge, after reading the verdict, added that the Navy should make efforts to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, Shinohara said. The family is considering whether to appeal the ruling to a higher court, Shinohara said.

Reese was sentenced to life in prison for the killing.

U.S. Forces Japan officials were unavailable for comment Friday.

According to court documents, Reese dragged Sato off the street in Yokosuka city on Jan. 3, 2006, beat her for more than 10 minutes and took 15,000 yen from her purse.

Sato died from internal injuries in a Yokosuka hospital later that day.

A Ministry of Defense spokeswoman said the ministry believes "the court basically showed understanding of the claim by the government."

Japanese officials have stated that the crime was committed outside of duty and that it was not subject to Navy supervision.

Reese will be responsible for paying the compensation if the judgment becomes final.

However, under the status of forces agreement, if he cannot pay, the U.S. government may offer to pay ex gratia money, according to a ministry spokesman. The amount would be assessed by the U.S. government, he said.

If the payment does not satisfy the judgment, the Japanese government will endeavor to pay the difference, he said.