A US Marine has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 39‑year‑old woman in Okinawa, Japan.
The body of Yagi Anna was found in a hotel in Naha City on Saturday morning, according to Japan’s NHK broadcaster.
Japanese authorities say the suspect, 20‑year‑old Devin Jacob Ballard of the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, is being held on murder charges.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the crime “brutal and heinous” and called for stricter discipline of US military personnel.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and the Okinawa governor condemned the incident and said it erodes public trust in the U.S. forces stationed on the island.
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said it was fully cooperating with local police and that the U.S. Marine Corps’ social media account extended condolences to the victim’s family.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions over U.S. bases in Okinawa, where a large number of American troops are stationed.
