Okinawa murder charge: US Marine indicted, reports say

Japanese media reported Monday that prosecutors have indicted a 20-year-old US Marine on suspicion of murdering a 39-year-old woman in Okinawa.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that, according to the indictment document, the suspect allegedly strangled the woman from Naha with a telephone cord in a hotel on October 3. The newspaper said he was also accused of stealing a backpack containing her wallet and other belongings and had been indicted on robbery charges.

The Marine denied the allegations when he was arrested, but has since made statements implying some involvement in the case, the Yomiuri and other media reported, citing investigative sources.

AFP said prosecutors could not immediately be reached. The case has caused public anger and led Japan's premier to condemn what he called a "heinous crime".

Crimes involving US military personnel, including rapes, assaults, hit-and-runs and drunk driving, have long triggered protests in Okinawa. The southern island has for years urged other regions of Japan to share the burden of hosting US troops.