A US Marine stationed on Okinawa has been arrested on suspicion of killing a 39-year-old lady.
Printed On 10 Oct 2026
The USA Secretary of State Marco Rubio has vowed to cooperate with Japanese authorities investigating allegations {that a} US Marine murdered a girl in Okinawa, a case that provoked protests and prompted a US navy curfew and obligatory coaching in requirements and self-discipline.
The highest US diplomat spoke with Japanese International Minister Motegi Toshimitsu in a cellphone name, the US Division of State mentioned in an announcement on Saturday following the demise of a neighborhood lady in a lodge that has renewed tensions over the US navy presence.
Advisable Tales
checklist of three gadgetsfinish of checklist
“Rubio expressed honest condolences over the demise of a Japanese nationwide in Okinawa, in addition to america’ willpower to speak and absolutely cooperate with the Authorities of Japan and native authorities as they conduct an investigation,” the division mentioned.
Devin Jacob Ballard, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was arrested on October 4 on suspicion of robbing and murdering Anna Yagi, 39, in a lodge within the capital Naha, in keeping with native police.
Native media reported that she was choked to demise and her pockets stolen.
Ballard has denied the allegations.
The killing triggered outrage in Japan, the place crimes involving US forces have been a thorn in relations between the shut safety allies and have lengthy infected criticism of US troops being stationed there. Japan hosts the biggest abroad contingent of US forces globally, with a lot of the 18,000 Japan-based Marines stationed on Okinawa.
Following the killing, US navy personnel stationed there have been given a monthlong curfew and banned from consuming alcohol whereas they endure self-discipline coaching.
Rubio and Toshimitsu additionally mentioned US sanctions on the International Criminal Court and the upcoming G20 International Ministers assembly in Atlanta, scheduled to start on October 30.
