U.S. Marine arrested in alleged robbery and killing of woman in Okinawa

Japanese police arrested a 20-year-old U.S. Marine over the alleged robbery and killing of a 39-year-old local woman at a hotel in Naha, Okinawa’s capital. Okinawa prefectural police said the incident occurred early Saturday.

The woman was found dead in her room. Kyodo News, citing police, reported that she appeared to have been strangled; her wallet and backpack were allegedly taken.

Security footage showed a man believed to be the suspect entering the hotel with the victim and leaving alone. Police arrested him late Saturday after spotting him walking in Naha’s entertainment district.

Japanese officials condemn the case

Okinawa Gov. Genta Koja called the case “absolutely unforgivable” and said it had increased fear among island residents. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan had protested to the United States and demanded cooperation with the investigation, stronger discipline and preventive measures.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass and conveyed Japan’s outrage, the ministry said. Glass expressed condolences to the victim’s family and said the United States was cooperating with Japanese authorities.

U.S. military presence on Okinawa

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. The corps said it takes the allegations seriously and expects Marines to meet the highest standards of conduct.

About 50,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Japan under a bilateral security pact, with roughly half based on Okinawa. Residents have long complained about noise, pollution and crime linked to U.S. bases.

The suspect was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, located in a densely populated part of central Okinawa. The central government approved relocating the base to Henoko on the island’s eastern coast, but the project has faced major delays.

Okinawa prefectural police said arrests involving U.S. service members and their families exceeded 100 last year. Tensions over the American military presence intensified after three U.S. service members raped a 12-year-old girl in 1995.