U.S. Marine arrested on suspicion of murder after woman found in Naha hotel
Japanese prime minister called the killing “a brutal and savage robbery and murder” and requested stricter U.S. discipline for troops.
A U.S. Marine has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a woman was found early Saturday morning in a hotel in Naha, Okinawa, Japanese authorities said.
The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Ana Yagi, and the suspect as 20-year-old Devin Jacob Ballard, who is stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps air base in Futenma, officials said.
Japanese leaders demand answers and action
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the incident as "a brutal and savage robbery and murder" and said she has asked the United States to enforce stricter discipline among its personnel stationed in Japan.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi wrote on social media that "such an incident is completely unjustifiable and provokes strong indignation," adding that incidents and accidents involving American soldiers "create great unease among the local population and must never happen."
Local authorities in Okinawa are handling the investigation and the detention of the suspect; further details about motive or charges have not been released. The case is likely to intensify long-standing tensions in Okinawa over the presence and conduct of U.S. military personnel on the island.
Photo: Sankei)
