Japanese police arrested Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard on Sunday over the death of Anna Yagi in a Naha hotel. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lodged a protest with Washington.
Okinawa police have arrested a US Marine on suspicion of killing a Japanese woman and taking her belongings at a hotel in Naha.
Stars and Stripes, citing an Okinawa Prefectural Police spokesman, reported that Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was arrested early Sunday. Police allege he killed Anna Yagi, 39, of Naha, at the Naminoue Crystal Hotel in the Wakasa district between 2:10 a.m. and 4:17 a.m. on Saturday and stole her wallet and another item. The BBC reported Yagi was found dead early on 3 October and that local media, citing police, said she appeared to have been strangled with a cord.
The Marine Corps said it is cooperating with Japanese authorities. Spokesman 1st Lt. Tyler Thomas said Ballard remains in Japanese custody. Police told the BBC the alleged crime was unrelated to official duties, which bears on which country has primary jurisdiction.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi registered an official protest with Washington, the BBC reported. Residents quoted by the BBC said the case revived long-running anger over crimes involving US personnel in Okinawa. Ai Sato, 52, told the BBC her first reaction was 'Not again' and that she was disappointed by familiar government comments.
The investigation is continuing. Police have not publicly detailed what led them to Ballard.
People Sentiments Negative
- Ai Sato told the BBC her first reaction was 'Not again'
- She said she was disappointed by government comments she has heard for decades