Japanese police arrested a 20-year-old U.S. Marine on Sunday on suspicion of murdering and robbing a 39-year-old woman at a hotel in Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture.

The suspect, identified as Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard and assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was arrested around 1 a.m. local time while walking in Naha's entertainment district. Police said he matched a description from security camera footage showing a foreign man entering a hotel room with the victim and later leaving with her belongings.

The victim's body was discovered early Saturday morning at the Naminoue Crystal Hotel in Naha's Wakasa district. She was identified as Anna Yagi. Police allege Ballard killed her and stole her wallet and backpack between 2:10 a.m. and 4:17 a.m. on Saturday. The suspect has denied the allegations.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the incident as an "extremely brutal and heinous" crime and said the government lodged a strong protest with the United States. She called for maximum cooperation with the investigation, stricter discipline among U.S. military personnel, and measures to prevent recurrence.

Japan's foreign ministry summoned U.S. Ambassador George Glass to discuss the case. The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said it is fully cooperating with Japanese authorities and extended condolences to the victim's family. The Marine Corps stated it is actively cooperating with the investigation.

Okinawa hosts numerous U.S. military bases and tens of thousands of American troops. Incidents involving U.S. personnel have periodically strained relations with local residents and prompted calls for tighter oversight.