The United States has vowed cooperation with Japan after a US Marine was arrested in a murder and robbery case in Okinawa.
As per local police, the 20-year-old Marine stationed at Futenma Air Station, has been accused of killing a 39-year-old woman at a hotel in Naha and then stealing her wallet and belongings.
Citing sources close to the investigation, public broadcaster NHK and other Japanese media outlets have reported that CCTV footage from near the scene showed a foreign man entering a room with a woman and later leaving with her belongings.
NHK added that police then found the 20-year-old man and asked him to accompany them voluntarily to a local police station, where he was arrested. Local reports add that the man has denied the charges.
Japan lodges 'strong protest'
In view of the incident, Japan delivered a strong protest to the US. Based on a statement issued by the Japanese foreign ministry, Deputy Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi delivered the protest to US Ambassador to Japan George Glass.
The minister “delivered a strong protest, stating that he found this incident extremely regrettable, and strongly urged full cooperation with the investigation, as well as strict discipline among U.S. military personnel and measures to prevent a recurrence,” the ministry said in a statement to media.
US takes note of incident, vows cooperation
US Ambassador George Glass posted on social media that he had spoken with Japan's foreign ministry and Okinawa's governor to offer "our sincere condolences and pledging full cooperation as the investigation continues".
{{/usCountry}}US Ambassador George Glass posted on social media that he had spoken with Japan's foreign ministry and Okinawa's governor to offer "our sincere condolences and pledging full cooperation as the investigation continues".
{{/usCountry}}The US embassy in Tokyo has also taken note of the case and vowed cooperation with Japanese authorities.
“As an investigation is underway to determine the facts of the case, the United States is communicating and cooperating with the Government of Japan and local authorities,” the embassy said in a statement on X.
A statement from the US Marine Air Ground Task Force in Okinawa also issued a statement regarding the incident, stating that they are cooperation with local authorities.
"The Marine Corps takes these allegations very seriously and expects every Marine to adhere to the highest standards of behavior. The Marine is in custody of local authorities while investigations proceed. There’s no further information to release at this time," the statement added.
A series of crimes including rapes, assaults, hit-and-run and drink-driving accidents by US personnel have long sparked protests on Okinawa and has also been a frequent irritant in relations between close security allies Japan and the US.
(With inputs from agencies)