How many US military personnel are stationed in Japan? Okinawa Marine arrest puts spotlight on decades-old US presence

The arrest of a US Marine in Okinawa over the alleged murder and robbery of a middle-aged Japanese woman has put the spotlight on the large US military presence in Japan. In social media, some people are furious about the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan, signed in 1960, which grants the US military some major advantages in operating inside Japan.

As per Article VI, “to the security of Japan and the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East, the United States of America is granted the use by its land, air and naval forces of facilities and areas in Japan.”

The latest case involves Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, who was arrested by Okinawa police on Sunday, October 4, after 39-year-old Anna Yagi was found dead inside a hotel in Naha. Ballard has denied the allegations.


The US Marine Corps said it was “actively cooperating with Japanese authorities” over the allegations, while the US Embassy in Tokyo said it was “communicating and cooperating with the Government of Japan and local authorities.”

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called the incident “extremely brutal and heinous” and said Japan had lodged a strong protest with the US side. She also demanded “strict discipline among US military personnel” and measures to prevent similar incidents.

Also Read: Japan PM demands ‘strict discipline among US military personnel’ after Marine arrested over alleged murder of a Japanese woman at Okinawa hotel

But how many US military personnel are actually stationed in Japan?

According to US Forces Japan (USFJ), approximately 60,000 US military personnel are currently stationed across the country. This large number of troops in Japan, which is also the largest contingent of US troops stationed overseas, followed by Germany and South Korea, includes personnel from the US Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force.

USFJ, headquartered at Yokota Air Base near Tokyo, describes its mission as helping “strengthen the US-Japan Alliance” and deter threats against Japan.

The military presence also involves a much larger community around the US bases. US Forces Japan says there are approximately 35,000 dependents, 7,000 Department of Defense civilian and contractor employees and 25,000 Japanese workers associated with USFJ.

Recent cases involving US military personnel in Japan

The latest Okinawa murder case is actually just one of a list of previous incidents involving US service members in Japan. According to reporting by Japanese outlet Asahi, in June 2024, a Marine was indicted over an alleged attack on a woman the previous month. He was accused of strangling her with the intent to sexually assault her, causing her injury.

In December 2023, an Air Force service member was accused of taking a girl to his home and sexually assaulting her. A Marine attempted to sexually assault and injure a woman in October 2021.