From Dw · · 1m 20s
US Marine arrested in Okinawa on murder suspicion
Japan protests US Marine's murder arrest in Okinawa.
In brief
Japan protests US Marine's murder arrest in Okinawa. A 20-year-old US Marine was arrested in Okinawa on suspicion of murdering a 39-year-old woman in a hotel, prompting Japan to protest and demand stricter US military discipline. Originally reported by Dw.
Arrest confirmed
A 20-year-old US Marine was arrested in Okinawa on suspicion of murdering a 39-year-old woman in a hotel in Naha.
Japanese protest
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lodged an official complaint with Washington, calling the incident 'extremely brutal and vicious' and demanding stricter US military discipline.
“The occurrence of such an extremely brutal and vicious incident is extremely regrettable”
Suspect denies charges
The suspect reportedly denies the murder charges and was found by police after CCTV showed a foreign man entering a hotel room with a woman.
US military response
The US Marine Corps confirmed the serviceman was in Japanese custody and stated it takes allegations seriously, expecting all Marines to adhere to the highest standards of behavior.
Historical context
Japan has around 54,000 US military personnel, including 18,000 Marines, stationed in Okinawa, which the US captured during WWII and held until 1972.
Recent incidents
Around 6,000 US military personnel have been arrested in Okinawa since 1972, with 80 arrests in 2024, the highest in 20 years.
The essence
A 20-year-old US Marine was arrested in Okinawa on suspicion of murdering a 39-year-old woman in a hotel, prompting Japan to protest and demand stricter US military discipline.
