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Japan summons US ambassador over death investigation in Okinawa
Japan lodged a strong protest with US Ambassador George Glass over the death of a woman in Okinawa and the alleged removal of her belongings. US Marine Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, was detained as a suspect and denied the allegations.
The incident in Okinawa has triggered a new diplomatic reaction between Japan and the United States over the discipline of military personnel. Japan summoned US Ambassador George Glass and lodged a strong protest over the alleged killing of a woman and the removal of her belongings.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi described the incident as “extremely brutal and repulsive.” Motegi called for full cooperation in the investigation, stronger discipline among US military personnel and measures to prevent similar incidents.
US Marine detained as a suspect
Okinawa prefectural police announced that 20-year-old Devin Jacob Ballard was detained on Sunday. Ballard was identified as a US Marine.
Police said Ballard was seen with 39-year-old Anna Yagi at a hotel in Naha on Saturday morning. Yagi was later found dead at the same hotel. Police said Yagi’s wallet and backpack had been taken and assessed that she may have died by strangulation. Ballard denied the allegations.
The US side said it would fully support the investigation by Japanese authorities. The US Embassy in Tokyo announced that a US service member was being detained in connection with the death of a Japanese citizen, that all aspects of the incident were being examined and that it was cooperating with Japan and local authorities.
Tokyo calls for military discipline
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the incident as “extremely regrettable.” Takaichi called for full cooperation in the investigation, stronger discipline among US military personnel and measures to prevent similar incidents.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also summoned Lieutenant General Stephen F. Jost, commander of US Forces Japan, to the ministry. Koizumi conveyed Japan’s “extremely serious concern” over the incident and lodged a strong protest with the US side.
Most US military facilities in Japan are in Okinawa
Most US military facilities in Japan are located in Okinawa. Around 50,000 US service members are stationed in Japan under the bilateral security arrangement that has been in effect since the end of World War II in 1945.
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