🔻An American gunman was detained on suspicion of killing a woman in Okinawa, Japan

🔻An American gunman was detained on suspicion of killing a woman in Okinawa, Japan

Japanese local officials said that an American Marine gunman was detained on suspicion of murder in connection with the discovery of a woman’s body in a hotel on Okinawa Island.

Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s prime minister, described the incident as a “savage and horrifying” theft and killing, and said she has asked the United States to exert stricter oversight and discipline over the conduct of its military forces.

NHK, Japan’s television network, identified the victim as Yagi Anna, 39, and the suspect as Devin Jacob Ballard, 20. Ballard is stationed at a U.S. Marine Corps air base in Futenma.

The U.S. Marine Corps Command said in a message on social media that it is cooperating closely with Japanese authorities in connection with the allegations raised against one of its service members. The organization also expressed condolences to the victim’s family.

Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan’s defense minister, said the woman’s body was found early Saturday morning at a hotel in Naha City, the center of Okinawa Prefecture.

In a social media message, Koizumi wrote: “Such an incident is absolutely unacceptable and it makes me deeply angry.” He added: “Incidents and accidents involving American military forces create serious concern among local residents and must never be repeated.”

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said it is fully cooperating with the Japanese government and local police to investigate the case. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said it has summoned George Gless, the U.S. ambassador in Tokyo, for talks about the incident on Sunday.

Okinawa hosts several U.S. military bases and tens of thousands of American troops.