Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson said US personnel on Okinawa will pause operations from noon Wednesday and then face a midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew for 30 days after a Marine's arrest in a Naha killing.
The US military in Okinawa will halt normal operations and ban alcohol for 48 hours from noon on Wednesday, then impose a month-long overnight curfew, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson said on Tuesday. Watson is commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force and Okinawa area coordinator for US Forces Japan.
The order follows the arrest of Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, on suspicion of killing and robbing Anna Yagi, 39, of Naha. Kyodo and Stars and Stripes reported that police said Yagi died of asphyxiation after Ballard allegedly pressed on her neck at a hotel in Naha's Wakasa district early Saturday. Stars and Stripes said the arrest was made three days before the restrictions were announced.
During the 48-hour period there will be no off-base liberty and alcohol will be prohibited on and off US installations, Watson said. From noon Friday, personnel enter a 30-day period of reflection with a midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew, required to stay in assigned quarters or off-base residences. Watson said incidents like this demand a pause for reflection and described discipline as a commitment to sound decisions.
Okinawa hosts the bulk of US military installations in Japan, and Kyodo reported that the case sparked local outrage. The restrictions are a command measure, not a Japanese court ruling.
Ballard has been sent to Naha prosecutors, Stars and Stripes reported, citing a Monday handover. No trial date or plea was included in the Tuesday military announcement.
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- Benjamin Watson said incidents like this demand a pause for reflection.
- Kyodo reported the killing case sparked outrage in Okinawa.