NAHA, Japan — A U.S. Marine stationed at Futenma Air Station was arrested on suspicion of murder and robbery after a 39-year-old Japanese woman was found dead in a Naha hotel room, prompting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to protest to the United States, CNN reported, citing Okinawa police and Kyodo News.
Police said the woman was found unresponsive about 4:30 a.m. Saturday and pronounced dead at the scene. Based on the condition of her body, she appeared to have been murdered, officers told CNN, without providing further details. The 20-year-old Marine was arrested about 1 a.m. Sunday while walking in the city, less than 24 hours later.
CCTV footage reportedly showed a man believed to be a foreign national with a shaved head entering the hotel with the woman and later leaving with her belongings, police said. Takaichi said Japan had “strongly protested to the U.S. side” and demanded full cooperation with the investigation, thorough discipline among U.S. personnel and measures to prevent recurrence of crimes and accidents, calling the alleged incident “extremely brutal and heinous.”
The U.S. Marine Corps said it takes the allegations very seriously, expects Marines to adhere to the highest standards and is cooperating with Japanese authorities. The U.S. embassy in Tokyo said a service member was in custody and that Washington was communicating with Japanese and local authorities while the investigation continues. Crimes by U.S. personnel have long fueled resentment in Okinawa, which hosts a large share of American forces in Japan.
Sources: CNN, Kyodo News
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