TOKYO, Japan (CNN)  -- Japanese authorities on Friday released an American Marine accused of raping a teenager in Okinawa after the girl dropped the allegations, the U.S. military said. Japanese protest near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo earlier this month over a Marine accused of rape in Okinawa. The Marine Corps said it is holding Staff Sgt. Tyrone Luther Hadnott, 38, in a Marine facility as it investigates whether he violated codes of military justice. The girl's accusation, which stirred memories of a brutal rape more than a decade ago, triggered outrage across Japan. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda deplored it as "unforgivable."
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Japanese authorities release U.S. Marine after teenage girl drops complaint
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Staff Sgt. Tyrone Luther Hadnott in Marine custody pending military investigation
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U.S. troops confined to Okinawa base for "period of reflection" since February 20
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U.S. military presence long a source of tension on southern Japan island
The U.S. military in @placeholder also said it formed a sexual assault prevention task force after the allegation arose.