Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama called on U.S. military authorities Thursday to pressure a suspect to report for police questioning in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Okinawa on Nov. 7.
The delay in resolving the case is making the situation worse for the people of Okinawa and for the family of the man who was killed, Hatoyama told reporters in Tokyo. Okinawa police haven't been able to question the suspect since he reported to the police for three days last week, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano told reporters.
"The longer this goes on, the more unbearable it becomes for the people of Okinawa," Hatoyama said. "For the sake of the deceased and the next of kin, the truth must be made clear."
Hatoyama said the government will lodge a stronger request with U.S. authorities unless the suspect cooperates.
Under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces agreement, American service members suspected of committing crimes in Japan do not have to be handed over unless they are indicted.