Japan Protests After U.S. Marine Arrested for Murder in Okinawa
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lodged a formal protest with the U.S. after a Marine was arrested for the suspected robbery and murder of a Japanese woman.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lodged a formal protest with the United States following the arrest of a U.S. Marine for the suspected robbery and murder of a Japanese woman in Okinawa. Devin Jacob Ballard, a 20-year-old Marine based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, is accused of killing 39-year-old Anna Yagi at a hotel in Naha on Saturday and stealing her wallet and backpack. Ballard has denied the allegations.
Takaichi described the incident as "extremely brutal and vicious" and demanded maximum cooperation with the investigation, stricter military discipline, and the implementation of preventative measures.
The U.S. Embassy and the Marine Corps expressed condolences and confirmed they are cooperating with Japanese authorities. U.S. Ambassador George Glass pledged full cooperation after speaking with Okinawa Governor Genta Koja. The incident intensifies existing tensions regarding the U.S. military presence in Okinawa and may complicate efforts to relocate Marines from the Futenma air base to Henoko.
