Japanese police have arrested a 20‑year‑old U.S. Marine stationed at Futenma Air Station in Okinawa on suspicion of robbing and killing a 39‑year‑old local woman. The incident has reignited tensions over the heavy American military presence on the island.

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Authorities said the woman was found dead at a hotel in Naha, Okinawa’s capital, in the early hours of Saturday. The Marine allegedly attacked her, stole her wallet and backpack, and fled the scene before being apprehended.

The arrest has triggered widespread outrage across Japan, particularly in Okinawa, where resentment toward the U.S. military presence has long simmered. Okinawa hosts nearly half of the 50,000 American troops deployed in Japan under a bilateral security pact, making it a focal point of friction between local communities and Washington.

Okinawa Governor Genta Koja condemned the incident, calling it “unacceptable” and demanding stronger accountability measures for U.S. personnel stationed on the island. The case adds to a series of past crimes involving U.S. troops that have strained relations and fueled calls for reducing the American footprint in Okinawa.

The U.S. military has pledged to cooperate fully with Japanese authorities as investigations continue.