US Marine has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman’s body was found in a hotel in Okinawa, Japan, local officials say.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the crime brutal and heinous, urging the United States to enforce stricter discipline of its personnel.
NHK identified the victim as Yagi Anna, 39, and the suspect as Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, a Marine stationed at US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
The Marine Corps said it is cooperating with Japanese authorities and extended condolences to the victims family.
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated that the body was discovered early Saturday morning in a hotel in Naha City, shaking local confidence.
The US Embassy in Tokyo confirmed full cooperation with Japanese government and police, while Japan’s foreign ministry summoned US Ambassador George Glass to discuss the incident.
Okinawa houses several US military bases and thousands of troops. Governor Genta Koja said the incident signals a lack of discipline in the US forces.
