A US Marine stationed in Japan has been arrested on suspicion of killing and robbing a 39-year-old woman at a hotel in Okinawa, leading Japanese officials to file a formal protest with the United States.
Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, allegedly killed Anna Yagi at a hotel in Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, early Saturday before taking her wallet and backpack, Japanese police said.
Police said Ballard has denied the allegations.
According to the Marine Corps, Ballard is assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa.
Surveillance video showed Yagi entering the hotel with Ballard, who later departed alone, Stars and Stripes reported, citing Okinawa police. A hotel employee found Yagi unresponsive after she failed to check out.
Authorities later found Ballard in Okinawa City and took him into custody, the outlet reported.
Fox News Digital has contacted the Okinawa Prefectural Police for further information.
The Marine Corps said it was cooperating with Japanese authorities and confirmed that Ballard remained in Japanese custody.
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“The Marine Corps takes these allegations very seriously and expects every Marine to adhere to the highest standards of behavior,” the service said in a statement obtained by Reuters.
The arrest drew swift condemnation from Japan’s senior officials. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed condolences to Yagi’s family and said her government had issued a “strong protest” to the United States.
“The occurrence of such an extremely brutal and heinous incident is a matter of profound regret,” Takaichi said in an English translation of her statement, originally delivered in Japanese.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi separately summoned US Ambassador George Glass. He called for Washington’s full cooperation with the investigation, tighter discipline among US military personnel and steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Glass expressed regret over the death and promised that the United States would cooperate with Japanese authorities.
The case unfolds against the backdrop of decades of tension over the substantial US military presence in Okinawa.
Most of the approximately 18,000 Marines stationed in Japan are based on Okinawa. Crimes involving US personnel, aircraft accidents and noise complaints have periodically intensified local opposition to the American military presence.
Okinawa remains strategically vital to the US-Japan alliance because of its position in the western Pacific near Taiwan, particularly as concern grows over China’s military activity in the region.
