Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson ordered a curfew and alcohol ban after a Marine was accused of killing a woman in Naha. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the killing brutal and demanded US steps to prevent a repeat.
US soldiers on Okinawa were placed under a month-long curfew and banned from drinking alcohol while they undergo discipline training, after a Marine was accused of killing and robbing a local woman. Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson announced the measures on Tuesday. All US military operations on the island will pause for 48 hours for training on standards and discipline.
Police suspect Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, of killing Anna Yagi, 39, in a Naha hotel on Saturday and taking her wallet and backpack. Ballard denied the allegations, police said. Stars and Stripes reported that police said Yagi died of asphyxiation after Ballard allegedly pressed on her neck.
Hotel staff found her unconscious early on Saturday after she failed to check out. Local media said about 200 officers searched for a man seen on CCTV entering the hotel with her. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the killing extremely brutal and heinous, said she had protested strongly to the United States, and demanded steps to prevent a repeat.
Governor Genta Koja is due to meet Takaichi on Wednesday. Protests were held in Naha and Tokyo. Japan hosts the largest overseas US force, and most of the 18,000 Japan-based Marines are in Okinawa, which the United States administered until 1972.
Watson said every interaction with neighbours builds or undermines trust essential to the alliance. Reuters said the case could complicate plans to move Marines from Futenma to Henoko. No court date was included in the report.
People Sentiments Negative
- Sanae Takaichi called the killing extremely brutal and heinous and demanded steps to prevent a repeat.
- Benjamin Watson said damaged trust affects the alliance and regional security.