# US Marine arrested in Okinawa on murder suspicion

> Japan protests US Marine's murder arrest in Okinawa.
- Title: US Marine arrested in Okinawa on murder suspicion · Dw
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: us marine, okinawa, japan, murder, arrest, marine corps, sanae takachi, nfl, news, world, politics, Marine
- Source: Dw — https://dw.com/en/japan-us-marine-arrested-in-okinawa-on-suspicion-of-murder/a-79536987?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: us marine, okinawa, japan, murder, arrest, marine corps, sanae takachi, nfl, news, world, politics
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.