US Ambassador Summoned in Japan After Marine Arrested Over Okinawa Woman’s Killing

The US ambassador to Japan was summoned following the arrest of a US Marine accused of killing a Japanese woman in a hotel room in Okinawa. Ambassador George Edward Glass expressed deep regret over the woman’s death and pledged full cooperation with Japanese authorities in the investigation. He also discussed measures to strengthen trust between US forces and local communities with Okinawa-based Marine Air Ground Task Force commander Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson.

Japanese police arrested 20-year-old Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard in connection with the death of 40-year-old Anna Yagi in Naha. Police allege that Ballard assaulted Yagi in a hotel room before taking her backpack and wallet. Okinawa Governor Genta Koja and Naha Mayor Satoru Chinen subsequently presented the US military official with proposed revisions to the agreement governing US military personnel in Japan. Japanese officials have called for stronger safeguards to prevent similar incidents.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the killing as “exceptionally brutal and heinous” and said the Japanese government had lodged a strong protest with the US side. Tokyo demanded maximum cooperation with the investigation, strict disciplinary action against US military personnel where warranted, and comprehensive measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The case has renewed concerns in Okinawa over the conduct of US military personnel and the longstanding security and social issues surrounding the large US military presence on the Japanese island.