HONOLULU -- A Kalihi man accused of killing a missing woman from Japan made his first appearance in court in a case that has attracted international attention.

Kirk Lankford, 22, appeared at his arraignment in District Court on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the killing of Masumi Watanabe, 21, who has been missing for more than two weeks.

A judge set bail at $1 million and a preliminary hearing for Wednesday.

Lankford's private attorney, Don Wilkerson, said his client is innocent.

"The Lankford family sends their condolences to the Watanabe family," Wilkerson said.

Major Japanese media organizations have sent crews from Tokyo to cover the case.

Japanese reporters said the story caught their attention because it is rare for a person from Japan to be murdered in a place considered paradise.

Over the weekend, prosecutors said they were able to proceed with murder charges even though no body has been found.

Police said they found Watanabe's glasses and traces of blood in Lankford's work truck.

A witness told police that he saw Lankford digging a hole at Kahana Bay on Windward Oahu on the night of April 12, when Watanabe was reported missing.

There were also questions about a cracked windshield on Lankford's truck. He said a bird damaged the glass.

That windshield has since been destroyed and replaced.

Family members on both sides were not in court on Monday. Last week, KITV spoke exclusively to Lankford's mother, Patricia Ann Sander.

"The police lie. That's what I know. That's all I know at this point. The police lie. My son is innocent," Sander said.

As for the Watanabes, they are in the islands. They are still waiting for word about the search for their daughter.