TOKYO — Japan lodged a strong protest with the United States on Sunday after a US Marine was arrested on suspicion of killing and robbing a woman in Okinawa.
Davin Ballard, 20, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of killing Anna Yagi, 39, and taking her wallet and backpack at a hotel in Naha early Saturday, according to Okinawa prefectural police. Ballard has denied the allegations.
Police said Ballard was seen entering the hotel with Yagi, who was found dead Saturday morning.
Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi lodged a protest with US Ambassador George Glass on Sunday morning over the incident.
Glass said the United States would fully cooperate with the investigation and take all possible measures to prevent a recurrence, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.
The US Embassy in Japan said a US service member was in custody following the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa and that an investigation was underway to “determine the facts of the case.”
The embassy said US authorities were cooperating with Japanese and local authorities.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the incident as “extremely regrettable,” saying Japan was demanding full cooperation with the investigation, stronger discipline among US military personnel and measures to prevent similar incidents.
Okinawa hosts the majority of US military facilities in Japan.
Around 50,000 US troops are stationed in Japan under the two countries’ longstanding security arrangement.
Source: Saudi Gazette