Japan protests after US Marine arrested for murder in Okinawa

A US Marine serving on Okinawa was taken into custody on Sunday after police said he was suspected of killing a 39-year-old woman at a hotel in Naha and taking her wallet. CCTV footage reportedly showed a foreign man entering a room with a woman and later leaving with her belongings. Police identified a 20-year-old man matching the description and arrested him after he voluntarily accompanied officers to a station.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told lawmakers that the government has lodged a strong protest with the United States and is seeking full cooperation in the investigation. > "The occurrence of such a heinous crime is extremely regrettable," Takaichi said.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the government will work with the United States to prevent a recurrence and reduce the burden on local residents. He added that Japan’s foreign affairs and defense ministers have summoned senior US officials to convey disappointment and register formal protests.

Around 100 people gathered in Naha for a rally demanding accountability, while a separate demonstration was organized in Tokyo. Okinawa Governor Genta Koja, who recently took office, said the incident has shocked residents and raised concerns about the conduct of US service members. He plans to travel to Tokyo to discuss the matter with national officials.

The case adds to a series of incidents involving US personnel in Okinawa that have previously sparked local protests, including a 2023 conviction of a Marine for assault and attempted rape.