A judge in Japan is to rule today on whether an American man charged with killing Irish student Nicola Furlong can be tried in a criminal court.

The 19-year-old man is described as a professional musician.

However is is a juvenile under Japanese law and cannot be named.

Nicola Furlong from Curracloe in Co. Wexford was strangled in a hotel in Tokyo on May 24th following a concert.

Irish Times Tokyo Correspondent is David McNeill.

He says it is likely the accused will go forward to face a criminal trial.

He spoke with Breakfast here on Newstalk.