Arrest of US Marine in Okinawa Murder Draws Protests and Official Complaint

Japanese police arrested a US Marine accused of killing and robbing a local woman in Okinawa, prompting protests and an official complaint to Washington.

• Japanese police arrested US Marine Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, on Sunday on suspicion of killing and robbing 39-year-old Anna Yagi in a Naha hotel.
• Police said Ballard is in Japanese custody because the alleged crime was unrelated to official military duties.
• Okinawa Governor Jenta Koga called the case "absolutely unforgivable," saying troop discipline and education "are not working at all."
• Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi registered an official protest with Washington as about 100 people protested in Naha and Tokyo.
• Ballard denies the charges against him.
• Tokyo summoned the US ambassador and the commander of US forces in Japan over the case.
• About 200 people rallied in protest over the incident.
• Washington pledged full cooperation with Japanese authorities in their investigation of the murder case.
• Japanese police said Anna Yagi was found strangled in the Naha hotel room where she was attacked.
• Police described the killing as the latest in a string of criminal allegations against US personnel in Okinawa.