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

Japan’s Prime Minister has reacted after a US Marine was arrested on suspicion of murdering and robbing a Japanese woman at a hotel room in Okinawa, saying it was “extremely brutal and heinous.” PM Sanae Takaichi expressed condolences to the victim’s family and said the Japanese government had lodged a strong protest and demanded ‘strict discipline among US military personnel’ with the US side following the arrest.

In a post on X, Takaichi said: “I express my condolences to those who lost their lives in the robbery-murder incident that occurred in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, and extend my sympathies to their bereaved families.”

“Regarding this case, the investigation by the Okinawa Prefectural Police is ongoing, but I understand that a US Marine Corps member has been arrested today,” she added.


Takaichi said the incident was “a matter of profound regret” and that Japan had demanded cooperation from the U.S. side.


The response came after Okinawa police arrested Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, on Sunday October 4. He is suspected of killing 39-year-old Anna Yagi in a hotel in Naha early Saturday and stealing her belongings, according to police. As per the reporting of the Japanese outlet asahi Ballard was stationed at the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City.

The Daily Mail cited police and reported that Ballard allegedly killed Yagi sometime between 2:10 a.m. and 4:17 a.m. Security camera footage also showed Yagi entering the hotel with Ballard and Ballard later leaving alone.

A hotel employee discovered Yagi unconscious after she failed to leave the room by the designated checkout time. Emergency services were called at around 4.20am, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police later spotted Ballard in an Okinawa nightlife district and arrested him. Ballard is denying the allegations, according to police.

The U.S. Marine Corps told stripes.com it is “actively cooperating with Japanese authorities in response to allegations of serious criminal actions by a Marine assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force.”

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo also said it was “communicating and cooperating with the Government of Japan and local authorities” and extended condolences to Yagi’s family.