Okinawa governor is ``extremely angry'' over arrest of US soldier on suspicion of robbery and murder of Marine at Futenma Air Base

Governor Genta Koja of Okinawa Prefecture made a comment on the 4th regarding the arrest of a Marine assigned to the U.S. military base Futenma (Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture) on suspicion of robbery and murder, saying, ``This is absolutely unacceptable and I feel extremely angry.'' As Okinawa continues to be burdened with an excessive burden on bases, Mr. Koja, who has just taken office, will be asked how he will respond to the base issue.

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In response to the arrest of a Marine in connection with the discovery of a woman's body in a hotel in Naha, Koja said, ``This will have a huge impact on the prefecture's citizens, who are forced to live next to the base, and will cause new concerns.'' He called on the U.S. military to fully cooperate with the investigation and to clean up on discipline, and stressed that the prefecture would "handle the matter strictly."

Prior to commenting, Mr. Koxia consulted with US Ambassador to Japan Glass and confirmed his full cooperation with the US investigation. Okinawa has had a conservative governor for the first time in 12 years, and it is believed that high-level communication with the Japanese government and the U.S. side has become easier, and the focus will be on whether effective measures can be taken to reduce the burden on bases and prevent recurrence.