The suspect, named Davin Ballard, is stationed at US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa. He is suspected of killing a 39-year-old local woman and taking her wallet and backpack in the early hours of Saturday at a hotel in Naha, Kyodo News reported, citing Okinawa prefectural police, Xinhua reported.
The suspect was seen entering the hotel with the woman, who was found dead on Saturday morning. He was spotted, questioned, and detained by a police officer on a street in Naha's entertainment district late Saturday, the report said.
Ballard has denied the allegations, according to the report. Police are investigating the details of the case.
Japan's Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi lodged a protest on Sunday with US Ambassador to Japan George Glass over the case, the Foreign Ministry said.
Crimes committed by US military personnel stationed in Okinawa, including grave offenses such as murder, rape, and robbery, have long been a serious and persistent issue.
Official statistics show that in 2025 alone, local police handled more than 100 criminal cases involving US service members and related personnel