Japanese officials lodged formal diplomatic complaints with the American embassy in Tokyo following the arrest of a U.S. Marine accused of robbing and killing a woman at a hotel on Okinawa.
On Monday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described Saturday’s murder of 39-year-old Anna Yagi as “a heinous crime” and called on the U.S. government to cooperate in the investigation of the accused assailant, Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20.
The killing comes amid growing public unease about the large U.S. troop presence on the island.
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“The fact is that a U.S. military service member was arrested and a prefectural resident’s life was taken is an extremely grave matter,” Okinawa Gov. Genta Koja said in a statement. “I share the sentiment that this is something the people of the prefecture cannot accept.”
Security camera footage at the hotel shows a person entering a hotel room with the victim and later leaving with her wallet and other personal items. The short hair and tattoos of the person in the video resemble those of Lance Cpl. Ballard, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.
Police in Japan said he has denied any part in the death of Ms. Yagai.
Lance Cpl. Ballard is assigned to the Okinawa-based III Marine Expeditionary Force. Most of the 18,000 Japan-based Marines are stationed on the island. A spokesman for the unit said they are actively cooperating with Japanese officials investigating the “allegations of serious criminal actions” against a Marine assigned to III MEF.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends,” the Marine said in a statement. “The Marine Corps takes these allegations very seriously and expects every Marine to adhere to the highest standards of behavior.”
The U.S. captured Okinawa during World War II and occupied it until 1972, when it was formally turned over to the Japanese government. The heavy U.S. troop presence on the island has repeatedly stirred public discontent over issues like noise, conduct of military personnel and aircraft crashes.
Under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, the U.S. maintains primary responsibility for investigating crimes that happen on base or while on duty. Japanese police handle criminal acts that occur off base.
In September 1995, three U.S. service members in Okinawa kidnapped and raped a 12-year-old Okinawan girl. They were tried and convicted in a Japanese court.
The sexual assault triggered mass protests across Okinawa and mainland Japan, drawing tens of thousands of people to demand the reduction of America’s military footprint on the island.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said he lodged a “stern protest” with his U.S. counterparts and demanded a “thorough education of personnel,” along with strict discipline and “prompt and appropriate support” for the victim’s family.
“In any case, incidents and accidents involving U.S. military personnel cause significant anxiety to the local community and must never close,” Mr. Koizumi said in a statement. “The Ministry of Defense intends to continue demanding thorough prevention of incidents and accidents from the U.S. side on various occasions going forward.”
Gov. Koja said he spoke with Lt. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, commander of the III MEF, but came away dissatisfied with the message.
“While Gen. Watson expressed condolences, there were no words of apology,” he said. “If guilt is established, I believe [U.S. officials] should offer a proper apology to the bereaved family and the people of the prefecture.”
Ambassador George Glass, the U.S. envoy to Japan, said U.S. service members in Japan are held to the “highest levels of discipline and integrity.”
“The criminal allegations in Okinawa do not represent the Marine Corps’ core value of honor, courage and commitment,” he said in a statement.
Gov. Koja said previous attempts by U.S. officials to tighten discipline of American troops on Okinawa have not been effective.
“It is necessary for those words to be demonstrated through concrete, actionable measures to prevent recurrence that have real impact,” he said.
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