Marine indicted for strangling woman and stealing her belongings

A 20-year-old US Marine has been indicted for the murder and robbery of a 39-year-old woman in Okinawa.

Devin Jacob Ballard, stationed at US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, is accused of strangling Anna Yagi with a telephone cord at a hotel in Naha on 3 October. Prosecutors allege he then took her backpack and wallet. Japanese media reports indicate that Ballard was arrested on suspicion of the crime.

The indictment cites security footage showing a man believed to be Ballard entering the hotel with Yagi and leaving alone with her items. Although Ballard has denied the allegations, investigators told Asahi Shimbun and Kyodo News that he made statements suggesting his involvement.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi labeled the crime "brutal and heinous." Her government registered a "strong" protest with the United States, demanding strict disciplinary action and thorough measures to prevent recurrence.

Okinawa Governor Genta Koja stated that the prefecture has repeatedly demanded the US take action to prevent such incidents. He described the alleged crime as a sign of a lack of discipline among US military personnel.

The case adds to a history of tensions surrounding the roughly 55,000 US soldiers stationed in Japan, the highest concentration of which is in Okinawa. In 2024, four sexual assault cases involving US troops were recorded in the prefecture. That year, Air Force member Brennon Washington received a five-year sentence for the rape and kidnapping of an underage girl. In 2025, Lance Cpl Jamel Clayton was sentenced to seven years for sexually assaulting a woman.

The US Marine Corps said earlier this month that it is actively cooperating with Japanese authorities. The service extended condolences to Yagi's family in response to the allegations of serious criminal actions. About 100 people protested in Naha and Tokyo earlier this month, while social media users demanded justice, with one user writing, "Enough is enough."