US Marine arrested in Okinawa for sexual assault

A US Marine was arrested on Japan's Okinawa island Wednesday for an alleged sexual assault of a local woman, according to police and media reports.

The 28-year-old man allegedly attacked the woman, in her 20s, when she returned to her apartment at around 3:50 am, reports said.

A neighbor called the police and the man was arrested 15 minutes later as he tried to flee, reports said.

The man denied the charges, reports said, adding that the suspect and victim had never met before the alleged attack. Okinawan police confirmed the arrest, but could not immediately release details of the case.

Violent crimes committed by US soldiers in Okinawa have been a source of anti-US base sentiment in the sub-tropical island prefecture, particularly after a 1995 gang-rape of a schoolgirl by three Marines.

In 2009, Okinawa police either arrested or apprehended some 50 foreigners related to the US military, including soldiers, their families and civilians who work for the military.

AFP