US holds murder-suspect sailor amid unease over military bases

The United States Navy has confirmed it is holding one of its sailors suspected of involvement in the death of a Japanese woman, a case police are investigating as a murder, and has ordered a "period of reflection" for all its personnel.

Japanese media reported on Thursday that a United States sailor had confessed to killing Yoshie Sato, 56, on January 3 in Yokosuka City, where the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier is based, and that the sailor had been taken into custody by United States naval authorities.

Commander John Wallach, director of public affairs for the US Naval Forces Japan, said he could not confirm or deny the reports that the sailor had admitted killing Sato, who was found bleeding and unconscious near a building in Yokosuka.

She died from internal injuries, Japanese police said.

The incident comes at a delicate time as Tokyo and Washington seek agreement from Japanese communities for plans to reorganise United States bases as part of Washington's global effort to transform its military into a more flexible force.

The Navy said it was curtailing liberty for personnel based in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, and beginning a four-day period of reflection for all naval personnel in Japan "to collectively demonstrate sympathy for the tragic loss of life".

"During the next four days, we're not at business as usual," Wallach said.

"We want everyone over here working for the Navy in Japan to take a good, hard look at themselves and make sure they are doing their best to be good guests and good allies."

Rear Admiral James Kelly, Commander US Naval Forces Japan, offered his apologies for the incident.

"I reiterate my deep regret and sadness over this incident and my promise of complete support and co-operation with all Japanese authorities remains firmly in place," he said when confirming that the sailor was in confinement.

A spokesman for police in the Kanagawa prefecture, where Yokosuka is located, said on Thursday that police would demand the sailor be handed over if the reports of his confession were confirmed.

A US-Japan pact governing the conduct of US personnel in Japan does not require the transfer of military suspects until they are charged.

However, after the 1995 rape of a Japanese schoolgirl by three United States servicemen on the southern island of Okinawa, which triggered huge protests there, Washington agreed to give favourable consideration to pre-indictment transfers in cases of suspected rape, murder and other serious crimes.

Communities have been resisting a plan to reorganise the base because of concern about crime, noise and environmental damage. That has created a big diplomatic headache for the two allied countries.

Politicians and residents in Yokosuka have opposed Navy plans to replace the ageing conventionally powered Kitty Hawk with the USS George Washington, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be based in Japan - the only country ever hit by atomic bombs.

The 50,000 United States military personnel are stationed in Japan under a security treaty.

- REUTERS