U.S. Marine Arrested In Japan Over Okinawa Woman’s Murder

A 20-year-old U.S. Marine is in custody in Japan after being arrested on suspicion of murdering and robbing a local woman in a hotel room in Okinawa. The case brought a formal protest from Japan.

What Happened

NBC News reported that “Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, is suspected of killing Anna Yagi, 39, in a hotel in Naha, the capital of the southernmost prefecture.”

Authorities alleged that Ballard was with Yagi early Saturday and was later seen leaving the building with her personal belongings.

Police said Yagi died from suffocation caused by pressure to her neck.

Official Reactions

The crime brought condemnation from the Japanese government. According to the Hindustan Times, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lodged a formal protest with the USA on Sunday following the arrest, calling the incident “extremely brutal and vicious.”

The outlet also reported that Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi described it as “unacceptable.”

The case also renewed anger in Okinawa, where crimes involving U.S. service members have caused controversy for decades. Okinawa Governor Genta Koja criticized existing military safety measures as “completely ineffective.”

Military Response

Ballard, who is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma as part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, has denied the allegations against him.

In response to the arrest, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Embassy expressed their condolences and noted that they were fully cooperating with Japanese authorities.

According to ABC News, the Marine Corps issued a statement on social media. It said, in part:

We are actively cooperating with Japanese authorities, in response to allegations of serious criminal actions by a Marine assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force… We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.

Viewers React

When ABC News shared the news on YouTube, people were able to have their say, and some commenters identified themselves as current or former Marines or military family members.

One person wrote, “As a Marine I hope that he gets the maximum penalty if found guilty. There’s criminals in every branch and they all deserve their due.”

Here are a few more responses from the discussion:

• “If he did it…let him go through the Japanese legal system, with no one from the US gov’t or the military aiding him at all. He deserves what he gets.”
• “One thing I learned in my 21 years in the Corps: you can train Marines and teach discipline, but you can’t train the evil out of someone’s heart.”
• “My husband did two tours in Japan and said this happens ALL THE TIME!!!! Wtf Marines?! So pathetic and disgusting.”
• “How hard is it to just be a good person? In any situation?”

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