US Secretary of State pledges cooperation in Okinawa murder investigation

A US Marine stationed on Okinawa has been arrested on suspicion of killing a 39-year-old woman. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pledged to cooperate with Japanese authorities investigating allegations that a US Marine murdered a woman in Okinawa. This case has led to protests and prompted a US military curfew and mandatory training in standards and discipline. Rubio spoke with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu in a phone call, as reported by the US Department of State on Saturday following the death of a local woman in a hotel, which has renewed tensions regarding the US military presence in Japan. Rubio expressed condolences over the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa and emphasized the United States’ commitment to communicate and fully cooperate with the Government of Japan and local authorities during the investigation. Devin Jacob Ballard, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was arrested on October 4 on suspicion of robbing and murdering Anna Yagi, 39, in a hotel in the capital Naha, according to local police. Local media reported that she was choked to death and her wallet was stolen. The killing has sparked outrage in Japan, where crimes involving US forces have been a contentious issue in relations between the two countries. Japan hosts the largest overseas contingent of US forces globally, with most of the 18,000 Japan-based Marines stationed on Okinawa. Following the incident, US military personnel stationed there have been subjected to a monthlong curfew and a ban on alcohol consumption while they undergo discipline training. Rubio and Toshimitsu also discussed US sanctions on the International Criminal Court and the upcoming G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in Atlanta, scheduled to begin on October 30.