Japanese police said they arrested a U.S. Navy civilian who had a live bullet in his carry-on luggage at Naha Airport, Okinawa, Feb. 28, 2025. (Naha Airport)

NAHA, Okinawa — A civilian employee of the U.S. Navy was taken into custody after a bullet was discovered in his baggage at an airport security checkpoint, a police spokesman said Monday.

The man, assigned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., was stopped at 11:48 a.m. Friday by airport workers at Naha Airport’s domestic security gate, the spokesman for the Okinawa Prefectural Police said by phone.

Stars and Stripes is withholding the employee’s name until criminal charges are filed.

Candice Barber, a spokeswoman for the Navy on Okinawa, confirmed that the man is not assigned to the island’s command. Naval Station Norfolk did not immediately respond to phone and email requests for comment after hours on Sunday.

Workers found the bullet in the man’s suitcase as he attempted to board a domestic flight off the island. Police arrived and arrested him on suspicion of violating Japan’s strict law on possession of firearms, swords and other weapons, the spokesman said.

The man, who told authorities he was unaware the bullet was in his bag, is being held at Tomigusuku Police Station. His case was forwarded to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office on Sunday, the spokesman said.

Authorities urged U.S. service members and civilians to check their bags carefully before traveling.

Some Japanese government officials speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

Similar incidents have occurred at Naha Airport in the past year.

In November, police said a civilian employee with the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base was arrested after a handgun bullet was found in her bag while passing through the international terminal.

In April, a U.S. airman was arrested when two bullets were found in his carry-on luggage in the domestic terminal, police said.

Both cases were ultimately dropped by prosecutors.