A US Marine stationed on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa has been arrested on suspicion of murder, police said on Sunday. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Lance Cpl Devin Jacob Ballard, is accused of killing a 39-year-old Japanese woman at a hotel in Naha and stealing her wallet and backpack.
Police stated that Ballard has denied the allegations. Public broadcaster NHK and other Japanese media outlets, citing investigation sources, reported that CCTV footage showed a foreign man entering a room with a woman and later leaving with her belongings. A man matching the description was later asked to accompany police to a station where he was arrested.
Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, described the alleged crime as “exceptionally brutal and vicious” and confirmed that Japan had lodged a protest with US authorities. The government has urged the US to cooperate fully with the investigation, enforce stricter discipline among military personnel, and take measures to prevent similar incidents.
US Ambassador George Glass offered condolences to the victim’s family and pledged cooperation in the investigation. Crimes involving US personnel have historically led to protests on Okinawa, which hosts approximately 70% of US military facilities in Japan.