Move quickly and bravely in the Okinawa killing case — or else

Like many readers, this writer was shocked by the news this past weekend of the alleged murder of a Japanese woman in Okinawa by a U.S. Marine.

While the investigation is still ongoing, the Japanese government has lodged a protest with the United States. On social media, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo released a comment to the effect that it “extend(s) our sincere condolences to the victim’s family,” and acknowledged that “an investigation is under way to determine the facts of the case (in which) the United States is communicating and cooperating with the government of Japan and local authorities.”

It is unlikely that tensions will easily dissipate, however. The timing of the heinous tragedy was particularly unfortunate. An extraordinary session of the national parliament was set to begin on Oct. 5, only days after the incident, and the new administration of Okinawa Gov. Genta Koja had just assumed office shortly before, on Sept. 30.