US Marine in Japan arrested on suspicion of murder, local police say

A US Marine has been arrested on suspicion of murder and robbery following the discovery of a woman's body in a hotel room on Okinawa island, Japan, according to local police.

The 39-year-old woman was found unresponsive in her hotel room in Naha city on Saturday morning and was pronounced dead at the scene. Okinawa police stated that the condition of the woman's body indicated she had been murdered, though they provided no further details.

The 20-year-old Marine, who is stationed at Futenma Air Station on the same island, was reportedly seen on CCTV footage entering the hotel room with the woman and later leaving with her belongings, police added.

The US embassy in Tokyo confirmed the arrest, stating that they were "aware that a US service member is in custody following the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa." They emphasized that they are working with Japanese authorities to determine the facts of the case. CNN has reached out to the Pentagon and the US Marine Corps for comment.

The woman's body was discovered at approximately 4:30 am local time on Saturday, and the Marine was arrested less than 24 hours later at 1:00 am, while walking in the city. Police stated that an investigation is ongoing.