Arrested US Marine in Okinawa sent to prosecutors amid outcry in Japan
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People attending a rally in protest against the US Marine robbery-murder case, on Oct 4.
PHOTO: EPA
- A US Marine, Devin Ballard, was arrested in Okinawa for allegedly robbing and murdering a local woman, causing a national outcry in Japan.
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi condemned the incident and demanded full US cooperation and strict discipline among US military personnel.
- Okinawa's new governor plans to meet the Prime Minister to urge thorough investigation and prevention measures, while Japan lodged formal protests with US officials.
AI generated
TOKYO – Okinawa police on Oct 5 sent a US Marine arrested for the alleged robbery-murder of a local woman to prosecutors in a case that has caused a national outcry, with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi telling Parliament that the government “strongly protests” against the incident.
Takaichi, who was speaking on the first day of an extraordinary Diet session ahead of a policy speech, said Japan has also called for the full cooperation of the United States with the investigation and “strict discipline among US military personnel” to prevent a recurrence.
Tokyo protested to the United States at various levels amid outrage after police said on Oct 4 that Devin Ballard, a 20-year-old US Marine stationed in the southern prefecture, had been arrested on suspicion of the robbery and murder of local woman Anna Yagi, 39, at a hotel in the prefectural capital Naha on Oct 3.
Minoru Kihara, the government’s top spokesman who also serves as minister in charge of mitigating the impact of US forces in Okinawa, said at a press conference earlier on Oct 5 that “Japan and the United States will work together to thoroughly prevent a recurrence”.
Past crimes involving US service members have angered residents of Okinawa, which hosts the bulk of US military installations in Japan.
Okinawa Governor Genta Koja, who assumed his role on Sept 30 after winning the gubernatorial race with the backing of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, expressed his intention to travel to Tokyo as soon as this week to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister.
Koja said he will call for a “thorough investigation and measures to prevent further cases”.
On Oct 4, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned US Ambassador to Japan George Glass and lodged a “strong protest”, while Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also did so in Tokyo with Lieutenant-General Stephen Jost, commander of US Forces Japan.
Ballard has denied the charges, the police have said.
KYODO NEWS