A U.S. marine was arrested for allegedly robbing and killing a 39-year-old woman in her hotel room in Naha City on Okinawa Island, Japan, on Sunday.

Japanese police confirmed the arrest of a U.S. serviceman suspected of killing the woman.

According to the police, the marine, Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, entered the hotel room with the woman but left alone moments later.

Mr Ballard was arrested for alleged robbery and murder, the police said.

“The government of Japan has strongly protested to the U.S. side and has called for the fullest possible cooperation with the investigation, thorough discipline among U.S. military personnel, and comprehensive measures to prevent the recurrence of crimes and accidents,” said Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in a statement.

The U.S. Marine Corps, in a statement, sent condolences to the deceased’s family, saying it takes the allegations “very seriously and expects every Marine to adhere to the highest standards of behaviour”.

“We are actively cooperating with Japanese authorities in response to allegations of serious criminal actions by a Marine assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force,” the U.S. Marine Corps said.

The U.S. embassy in Tokyo said it was “aware that a U.S. service member is in custody following the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa”.

“As an investigation is underway to determine the facts of the case, the United States is communicating and cooperating with the government of Japan and local authorities,” it stated.