Japanese police arrested a 20-year-old U.S. Marine on suspicion of killing a 39-year-old woman in Naha, Okinawa.
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Japanese police arrested a U.S. Marine on suspicion of robbery and murder in Naha, Okinawa, authorities said Sunday.
The Okinawa prefectural police said the suspect, a 20-year-old Marine stationed at Futenma Air Station, was arrested for the alleged killing of a 39-year-old local woman at a hotel in Naha during the early hours of Saturday.
Police said security camera footage showed the man believed to be the suspect entering the hotel with the victim and leaving alone.
According to Kyodo News, the woman’s body was found in her hotel room and she appeared to have been strangled. Kyodo also reported that the police believed the suspect took her wallet and backpack.
An officer arrested the suspect after spotting him walking alone in Naha’s entertainment district late Saturday, Kyodo reported.
Newly elected Okinawa Governor Genta Koja said the case “deals a major shock” and added fear for Okinawans who live next to U.S. bases, calling it “absolutely unforgivable” and saying the actions were “outrageous.” He also said “discipline and troop education are not working at all,” referring to U.S. military measures taken in response to past criminal cases.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a message posted on X that the crime is “extremely regrettable,” adding that her government has strongly protested to the U.S. and demanded maximum cooperation with Japanese authorities as well as tougher discipline and preventive measures for U.S. service members.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned U.S. Ambassador George Glass and conveyed “outrage,” the ministry said.
On X, the U.S. ambassador said he expressed condolences to the victim’s family and that the United States is cooperating with Japanese national and local governments.
The U.S. Marine Corps said the suspect is assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force on Okinawa and that it is fully cooperating with Japanese authorities, saying the Marine Corps “takes these allegations very seriously” and expects every Marine to adhere to the highest standards of behavior.
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