A U.S. Marine was arrested at Futenma Air Station on Okinawa Island around 1 a.m. local time Sunday, on suspicion of killing a Japanese woman.
Police suspect Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, of killing Anna Yagi, 39, in a hotel on Saturday and then taking her wallet and backpack.
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What we know
“We are aware of information indicating that U.S. military personnel have been detained in connection with the incident in Okinawa Prefecture involving the death of a Japanese national,” the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo wrote on X. “At present, an investigation is underway to clarify the facts, and the United States Government continues to cooperate closely with the Government of Japan and local authorities.”
Specific details on the woman’s death were not immediately available, but Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the incident as “an extremely brutal and heinous incident.”
“As the Government of Japan, we have lodged a strong protest with the U.S. side, while firmly demanding maximum cooperation with the investigation, strict discipline among U.S. military personnel, and thorough measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and accidents,” Takaichi said on X.
Meanwhile, the III Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa said it’s “actively cooperating with Japanese authorities,” adding that the Marine Corps takes the allegations “very seriously.”
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