U.S. Marine arrested over robbery and murder of woman in Japan
A U.S. Marine has been arrested on suspicion of robbing and murdering a Japanese woman at a hotel in Okinawa, Japan, according to police and U.S. officials. Japan’s government has lodged a protest and demanded full cooperation with the investigation.
Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, is suspected of killing Anna Yagi, 39, at a hotel in Naha, Okinawa’s capital, on Saturday and taking her wallet and backpack, Reuters reported, citing police.
The suspect denied the allegations. The III Marine Expeditionary Force confirmed that a Marine assigned to the command was in the custody of local authorities while investigations continue.
“The occurrence of such an extremely brutal and heinous incident is a matter of profound regret, and 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,” Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a statement.
“As the government, we will address this case with the utmost care and diligence,” Takaichi added.
The Marine command said it was actively cooperating with Japanese authorities and offered condolences to the victim’s family and friends. It said no further information was available for release.
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said the United States was communicating and cooperating with Japan’s government and local authorities.
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