Marine’s arrest over woman’s killing renews anger over US bases in Japan

Police arrested a 20-year-old US Marine on suspicion of killing a 39-year-old woman and stealing her wallet at a hotel in Naha. The arrest has triggered protests regarding the US military presence in Okinawa.

About 100 protesters gathered outside the US Embassy in Tokyo on Tuesday to voice opposition to the concentration of US military facilities in Okinawa. Protest organizer Sorane Sakihama told the crowd that the high proportion of bases in the prefecture places local residents at a greater risk of harm from US soldiers.

The incident has revived long-standing criticism of the 1960 agreement that limits Japan's primary jurisdiction over crimes committed by US military personnel. Residents in Okinawa have frequently protested various crimes involving American service members, including assault and drunk-driving accidents.