US Marine arrested over alleged murder of woman at Okinawa hotel

A US Marine was arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman’s body was found at a hotel in Naha, the capital of Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, early Saturday morning.

Japan’s public broadcaster NHK identified the victim as 39-year-old Yagi Anna and the suspect as 20-year-old Devin Jacob Ballard, who is stationed at US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Officials have not publicly provided a motive or details about the woman’s death.

Japanese officials condemn the incident

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the case as a “brutal and heinous” robbery and murder and said she had urged the US to enforce stricter discipline among its personnel.

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called the incident utterly inexcusable and said incidents involving US military personnel cause significant anxiety in the local community.

US authorities cooperate with Japan

The US Marine Corps said it was actively cooperating with Japanese authorities and offered condolences to the victim’s family. The US Embassy in Tokyo also said it was fully cooperating with the Japanese government and local police.

Japan’s foreign ministry summoned US ambassador George Glass on Sunday to discuss the incident.

Okinawa hosts several US military bases and tens of thousands of American troops. Governor Genta Koja said the prefecture had repeatedly demanded US action to prevent such incidents, calling the case evidence that efforts to maintain discipline and educate personnel had failed.