Source : Perth Now news
Japanese authorities have lodged a protest with the United States following the arrest of a US Marine suspected of murdering a woman in Okinawa.
The 20-year-old Marine was arrested on Sunday in the city of Naha on suspicion of murdering a 39-year-old woman and stealing her backpack and wallet at a hotel in the city on Saturday night, according to news agency Kyodo.
Deputy Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi lodged a strong protest with US Ambassador to Japan George Glass regarding the incident, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Funakoshi expressed extreme regret over the incident, and urged full cooperation with the investigation, stricter discipline among US military personnel, and the adoption of measures to prevent a recurrence, the ministry said.
Ambassador Glass wrote on social media that he had called Okinawa Governor Genta Koja, offering sincere condolences and pledging full cooperation as the investigation continued.
The serviceman is currently being held at the US Futenma base in Okinawa, a site of frequent protests by local residents over issues including the conduct of military personnel.
