US marine arrested in Japan on suspicion of killing woman, police say
Summary
A 20-year-old US marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan, has been arrested on suspicion of killing a 39-year-old Japanese woman and stealing her belongings. Japanese officials have expressed strong concern and requested full cooperation from the US military in the investigation.Key Facts
- The suspect is Lance Cpl Devin Jacob Ballard, 20 years old.
- The victim was 39-year-old Anna Yagi, killed at a hotel in Naha, Okinawa.
- Police say Ballard denies the murder charges.
- Okinawa hosts about 70% of US military facilities in Japan.
- The US ambassador to Japan offered condolences and pledged cooperation.
- Japan's Prime Minister called the crime "exceptionally brutal and vicious" and formally protested to US authorities.
- CCTV showed a foreign man entering with the victim and leaving with her belongings.
- Crimes by US military personnel in Okinawa have caused protests and strained US-Japan relations.
- The number of arrests of US personnel in Okinawa reached 80 in 2024, the highest in 20 years.
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