Okinawa governor urges Japan action after US Marine arrested over killing

What the report says

Okinawa’s governor has called on Japan’s central government to respond more forcefully after a US Marine was arrested on suspicion of killing a woman on the island. The appeal came during a meeting in Tokyo with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where Governor Genta Koja said residents were deeply angered by the latest case involving a member of the US military stationed in Okinawa.

According to the report from Al Jazeera citing AFP, the suspect is Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, who is based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. He was arrested over the weekend on allegations that he strangled Anna Yagi, 39, at a hotel and took her wallet and backpack. Japanese media reported that he has denied the accusations.

The case has renewed long-running tensions over the large US military presence in Okinawa, where residents have frequently complained about crime, noise, pollution and other burdens linked to nearby bases. Koja said earlier disciplinary efforts by the US military had not been effective and urged preventive steps. Takaichi described the killing as heinous and said she expected further action from Washington and closer talks with the United States on prevention.

In response, US forces in Okinawa announced temporary restrictions, including a 48-hour pause in training, limits on troops leaving base and a ban on alcohol, followed by a 30-day period of reflection with a late-night curfew.