According to a report by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on October 5th, the police in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, have transferred a U.S. military soldier suspected of robbery and homicide to the prosecution department. Previously, the police arrested a 20-year-old U.S. Marine on suspicion of robbery and homicide.
Okinawa Prefectural police said on Sunday that they have arrested a Marine from the Futenma Base. The Marine is suspected of killing a 39-year-old local woman in a hotel in Naha, the capital of Okinawa, early Saturday morning. The Marine also stole her wallet and backpack.
According to police reports cited by Kyodo News, the woman's body was found in her hotel room, and it is suspected that she was strangled to death. Police also said that surveillance footage showed that the suspect entered the hotel with the victim and then left alone.
The newly elected Okinawa Governor Kushei Shun’ichi told reporters, “This case has caused a huge shock to Okinawans who are forced to live near U.S. bases, and has increased their fears. This is absolutely unforgivable, and we are angry.”
Subsequently, Gu Xi Xuantai said when mentioning measures taken by the US military against past criminal cases: “I must say, (American) discipline and troop education are completely useless.”
It is reported that Okinawan residents have long been complaining about the noise, pollution, and crime caused by US military bases. Moreover, crimes involving US military personnel stationed in Okinawa have complicated the relationship between the Japanese central government and the local government of Okinawa.
This latest incident occurred at a time when Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's cabinet was pushing to strengthen Japan's military presence in Okinawa, while also seeking closer cooperation with the US military.
Regarding this incident, Kaishi Sanae posted on the X platform saying, "This heinous crime is extremely regrettable." She stated that her government has "expressed strong protest" to the US side and has requested that the US cooperate fully with Japanese authorities during the investigation. At the same time, Japan will "strengthen disciplinary measures and preventive measures for US military personnel."
The United States Marine Corps said in a statement that the suspect belongs to the Third Marine Expeditionary Force stationed in Okinawa and is cooperating fully with Japanese authorities. The statement read: “The Marine Corps takes these allegations seriously and expects every Marine to adhere to the highest standards of conduct.”
The Futenma Base is located in a densely populated area in central Okinawa. For decades, it has been a source of pain for many residents, who demand its relocation. In 1995, three US military personnel raped a 12-year-old girl in the area, which led to large-scale protests against the large-scale deployment of US troops in Okinawa.
According to the Okinawa Prefectural Police, last year, more than 100 people were arrested in connection with US military personnel and their families.
