A U. S. Marine has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a local woman was found in a hotel in Naha, the capital of Okinawa prefecture, according to Japanese police.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the crime as brutal and heinous, urging the U. S. government to tighten discipline among its forces stationed on the island.
NHK identified the victim as Yagi Anna, 39, and the suspect as Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, who is based at the U. S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
The Marine Corps said it is cooperating with Japanese authorities and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called the case wholly unacceptable, stressing that such incidents create anxiety in the community and must never occur.
The U. S. Embassy in Tokyo confirmed full cooperation with local police, and Japan’s foreign ministry summoned U. S. Ambassador George Glass for discussions.
Okinawa hosts several U. S. military bases and a large American personnel presence, a fact that has contributed to ongoing tensions over discipline and safety in the region.
Okinawa Governor Genta Koja said the incident demonstrates a lack of discipline among U. S. forces and called for renewed measures to prevent future crimes.
