Japanese news reports say local authorities have arrested a U.S. Navy sailor on charges of killing and robbing a Japanese taxi driver last month.
Police in the Kanagawa prefecture south of Tokyo detained the 22-year-old sailor Thursday at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka. The sailor, a Nigerian national, was arrested after U.S. authorities granted Japan permission under joint U.S.-Japanese security agreement.
The sailor has reportedly admitted to killing 61-year-old Masaaki Takahashi, who was found stabbed to death in his taxi near the naval base. The sailor's credit card was found in the back seat.
The killing is the latest crime involving U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan that have angered residents and lawmakers.
A U.S. Marine was arrested in February for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl on the southern island of Okinawa, but the case was later dropped.
The U.S. military has imposed new restrictions on its personnel at the Yokosuka naval base, including banning the sale of alcohol at base facilities, and limiting travel beyond the base and off-base residences.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
