Okinawa killing allegation renews scrutiny of US military presence
Japan’s prime minister has urged US cooperation and stricter discipline after a Marine was accused of killing a local woman, prompting a rally in Naha.
A 20-year-old US Marine is accused of killing 39-year-old Anna Yagi at a hotel in Naha and stealing her wallet. The suspect, Devin Jacob Ballard, is reportedly in Japanese custody and denies the allegations. No court finding is reported.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the alleged killing heinous, saying Japan had lodged a strong protest with Washington and was seeking full cooperation with the investigation and stricter discipline among US military personnel. The US embassy and Marine Corps said they were cooperating with Japanese authorities.
About 100 people rallied in Naha on Sunday, according to Al Jazeera’s report. The case has renewed attention to Okinawa’s longstanding opposition to the concentration and conduct of US forces on the island.
The report says about 54,000 US military personnel are stationed in Japan, with Okinawa hosting about 70 per cent of the country’s US military facilities. Under the bilateral arrangements described in the report, Japan has primary jurisdiction over off-base crimes committed by US personnel while off duty; the US has primary jurisdiction for crimes on base or committed while on duty.
The report cites past convictions and incidents involving US personnel, alongside arrests that do not establish guilt. Yomiuri Shimbun reported about 6,000 arrests of US military personnel in Okinawa since 1972, including 80 in 2024. The figures and history have fuelled recurring protests over the local burden of Japan’s security arrangements.
