U.S. Marine arrested in Japan, accused of killing Japanese woman in Okinawa, tell me about this news today

Okinawa Prefectural Police arrested a 20-year-old U.S. Marine, identified as Devin Jacob Ballard, on suspicion of robbery and the murder of a 39-year-old Japanese woman, Anna Yagi.

The Journal

Ballard, who is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Okinawa, is accused of killing Yagi inside a hotel room in the Wakasa district of Naha. Investigators reported that the two entered the hotel together around 2:10 a.m. on Saturday. Her body was discovered by hotel staff at around 4:15 a.m. after the scheduled checkout time had passed. Police reported that the victim’s backpack, wallet, and other personal items were taken and subsequently recovered near the hotel.

nippon.com+ 2

Ballard has denied the allegations, telling investigators he knows nothing about the incident. Police are conducting an autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death and are investigating the nature of the relationship between the suspect and the victim.

nippon.com

Following the arrest, the Japanese government lodged a formal protest with the United States regarding the incident.

The Japan Times