NAHA, Okinawa Pref. (Kyodo) A metal object found in the front license plate of a car in the town of Kin, Okinawa Prefecture, "through visual inspection only, appears to be a steel core penetrator of a .50-caliber bullet," the U.S. Marine Corps said Friday in a statement.
"There is no clear evidence showing any connection between this piece and any recent marine corps training activity," the statement added, however.
The marine corps will continue cooperating with the Okinawa police and exchange information with local authorities to look into "any potential connection with the U.S. military," it said.
A resident of the town reported to the police last on Dec. 13 that a metal object was stuck in the front license plate of his car, parked at his home near Camp Hansen. His grandmother told the police she heard a loud sound when she was behind the car on the afternoon of Dec. 10.