Japan has called on the United States to tighten control over its military personnel after authorities arrested a second Marine on Okinawa island, this time for alleged drink driving during a mandatory curfew.

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on Monday the country had asked the US to strictly enforce discipline and ensure troops follow the nighttime curfew imposed last month. The curfew came after authorities charged another Marine with murdering a local woman.

“We requested that the US side strictly enforce discipline among its personnel, implement effective measures to prevent a recurrence, and ensure full compliance with the nighttime curfew,” Koizumi told reporters.

“We want them to take the incident seriously,” he added.

Police arrested the Marine on Saturday for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, according to media reports.

The curfew requires all US troops to return to base or their off-base homes between midnight and 05:00.

Last month, US forces on Okinawa faced a two-day alcohol ban and a 30-day curfew after the alleged murder. Japanese prosecutors indicted the Marine accused of the killing last week.

The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported that the suspect (20) allegedly strangled a woman from Naha in a hotel with a telephone cord on 3 October.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lodged a strong protest with the United States days after the woman’s death. She asked for full cooperation with the investigation and strict discipline among US military personnel.

The case has sparked outrage across Japan and renewed debate over the heavy American military presence on the southern island.

Around 54 000 US military personnel work at bases in Japan, with most stationed on Okinawa.

Crimes committed by US troops have long strained relations between the close security allies.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said officials were reviewing the code of conduct for US troops in Japan following the alleged killing.

The current policy, updated in 2024 after several sexual assaults by US military personnel in Okinawa, bans service members from drinking in public off base between 01:00 and 05:00 or visiting bars during those hours.

ALSO READ: US troops on Okinawa banned from drinking after murder allegation