Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Calls Okinawa Killing a 'Heinous Crime' as Public Fury Targets US Military

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi condemned the killing of a woman in Okinawa as a 'heinous crime' on Monday, telling lawmakers that Tokyo had demanded US cooperation with the investigation amid public protests.

Police announced on Sunday that a 20-year-old Marine was suspected of killing a 39-year-old local woman at a hotel in Naha, Okinawa's capital. The case has renewed anger over crimes involving US personnel on an island with a substantial American military presence.

Sanae Takaichi Demands US Cooperation

'The occurrence of such a heinous crime is extremely regrettable,' Takaichi stated. She told lawmakers that the government had requested 'full cooperation with the investigation' and 'strict discipline among US military personnel'.

Tokyo's objections have reached senior American representatives. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned US Ambassador George Glass and conveyed 'outrage', the foreign ministry announced. Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi separately summoned US Forces Japan Commander Lt Gen Stephen Jost over the case.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, who oversees efforts to mitigate the impact of US forces in Okinawa, told reporters on Monday that Tokyo had protested at 'various levels'. He pledged to 'continue to urge the US side to thoroughly enforce discipline' among its soldiers.

Police Case Behind Sanae Takaichi's Response

Okinawa prefectural police described the suspect as a Marine stationed at Futenma Air Station. They alleged that he killed the woman and took her wallet and backpack early on Saturday.

Kyodo News, citing police, reported that the woman's body was discovered in her hotel room and that she appeared to have been strangled. Police described security camera footage of a man believed to be the suspect entering the hotel with the woman and leaving alone.

The Marine was sent to prosecutors on Monday, Kyodo reported. He denies the allegations.

Okinawa Governor Genta Koja told reporters that the case added to residents' fears about living near US bases. He described the killing as 'absolutely unforgivable' and challenged the effectiveness of measures introduced after earlier criminal cases involving American service members.

'I must say, discipline and troop education are not working at all,' he told reporters.

Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet and the Base Dispute

Okinawa returned to Japanese administration in 1972 after coming under US control at the end of World War II. Residents have long complained about noise, pollution and crime associated with American bases, including cases involving rape, assault, hit-and-run incidents and drink-driving.

The dispute also forms part of a wider disagreement between the island's administration and Japan's central government. Takaichi's cabinet is pushing to strengthen Japan's military presence in Okinawa and cooperate more closely with US forces.

About 100 people protested outside the Okinawa prefectural government building on Sunday, Jiji Press reported. Demonstrators shouted, 'How much longer do we have to bear all of this?' Japanese media reported another 100 participants at a rally in Naha.

Sorane Sakihama, a 24-year-old university student from Okinawa, organised a similar demonstration in Tokyo that day. She told AFP that she cried upon learning of the woman's death.

'We couldn't protect her. That made me so angry and sad,' she told the news agency.

She questioned the purpose of the American presence.

'I want to ask them: What are these soldiers stationed here for? They might say they are here to protect lives or boost security. But how can they say that when a life was taken by one of their own?'

Sakihama told AFP she planned another protest outside the US embassy on Tuesday evening.