A US Marine was arrested in Okinawa on suspicion of the murder and robbery of a 39-year-old Japanese woman whose body was found in a hotel in Naha.

A US Marine was arrested in Okinawa on suspicion of the murder and robbery of a 39-year-old Japanese woman whose body was found in a hotel in Naha.

Japanese media identified the suspect as 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Putnam.

Prime Minister Sana Takaichi called the killing "a most cruel and heinous incident" and said Japan had lodged a strong protest with the US.