A US Marine has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder after a woman’s body was discovered in a hotel in Naha, Okinawa, local authorities said.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the crime as a brutal and heinous robbery and murder, urging the United States to enforce stricter discipline on its personnel.
The Public broadcaster NHK identified the victim as 39‑year‑old Yagi Anna and the suspect as 20‑year‑old Devin Jacob Ballard, a Marine stationed at the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
Following the arrest, the Marine Corps issued a statement on social media, saying it was cooperating with Japanese authorities and offered condolences to the victim’s family.
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed that the body was found early Saturday morning in a Naha hotel, adding that such incidents are “utterly inexcusable” and cause “strong indignation.”
The US Embassy in Tokyo said it was fully cooperating with Japan’s police, and the Japanese foreign ministry has summoned US Ambassador George Glass to discuss the situation.
Okinawa hosts several US military bases and a large number of American troops, making incidents involving foreign personnel particularly sensitive.
Okinawa Governor Genta Koja has repeatedly demanded that the United States take stronger measures to prevent such events, calling the alleged crime a sign of poor discipline within the US forces.
The case underscores the continuing tensions surrounding the presence of US troops in Okinawa and the urgent need for tighter oversight to protect local residents.
