Japan Protests to US After Marine Accused of Murdering Woman in Okinawa

Japan has lodged a strong protest with the United States following the arrest of a US Marine on suspicion of robbing and murdering a Japanese woman in Okinawa.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the alleged crime was extremely brutal and regrettable, while demanding full US cooperation with the investigation and stronger measures to prevent similar incidents.

The suspect, identified by Japanese authorities as 20-year-old Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and is assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Okinawa Prefectural Police arrested Ballard on suspicion of killing 39-year-old Anna Yagi and taking her wallet and backpack. Yagi was found dead at a hotel in Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, on Saturday. Police said the suspect has denied the allegations.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned US Ambassador to Japan George Glass on Sunday and formally protested over the incident. According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, Motegi demanded full cooperation with the investigation, stronger discipline among US military personnel and measures to prevent a recurrence.

Glass expressed regret over the loss of life and said the United States would cooperate fully with Japanese authorities.

The US Marine Corps also said it was cooperating with Japanese authorities and that it takes the allegations seriously. The suspect remains in Japanese custody while the investigation continues.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also expressed anger over the incident, describing it as unacceptable. Okinawa Governor Genta Koja similarly condemned the killing and raised concerns about the ability of US forces to prevent misconduct by service members.

The case has revived longstanding tensions surrounding the US military presence in Okinawa. The island hosts a large concentration of American military facilities and personnel, and residents have for decades raised concerns about crimes, aircraft accidents, noise and other effects associated with the bases.

A 1995 rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl by three US servicemen triggered major protests against the American military presence. More recent criminal cases involving US personnel have continued to fuel debate over the relationship between Okinawa and the US military.

The latest case comes as Japan and the United States continue to regard Okinawa as strategically important to their security alliance, particularly because of the prefecture’s proximity to Taiwan and other areas of East Asia. At the same time, plans to relocate the US Marine Corps’ Futenma air station to Henoko remain controversial among sections of the Okinawan population.

The investigation into Yagi’s death remains ongoing, and the allegations against Ballard have not been established in court.