Tokyo lodges protest with US commander over Okinawa arrest
Former marine has already admitted killing and assaulting 20-year old office worker, sources say
Defence Minister Gen Nakatani lodged a protest with the commander of US forces in Okinawa on Saturday after the arrest of a civilian base worker over the death of a local woman stoked anger among islanders already feeling burdened with the heavy US military presence.
Kenneth Franklin Shinzato, a 32-year-old former Marine, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly dumping the 20-year-old woman’s body and has since admitted to killing her, according to investigative sources, who quoted him as saying he also sexually assaulted the victim.
Coming just days ahead of US President Barack Obama’s trip to Japan next week to attend a Group of Seven summit and visit the atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima, the incident has sent Japanese and US officials scrambling to contain the political fallout.
In the meeting with Lieutenant General Lawrence Nicholson, Nakatani demanded that the US military in Okinawa enhance discipline and take measures to prevent similar incidents.
“This is outrageous and unforgivable,” Nakatani said during the meeting at a Defence Ministry
office in Okinawa.
Nicholson said: “Our heartfelt prayers and condolences are offered to the family.”