U.S. Marine arrested in Japan after woman’s death in Okinawa

A U.S. Marine stationed in Japan has been arrested in connection with the death of a 39yearold woman at a hotel in Okinawa, Japanese police said. Authorities identified the suspect as Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, who is accused of robbing and killing Anna Yagi in Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, early Saturday. According to police, surveillance footage showed Yagi entering the hotel with Ballard before he later left alone. A hotel employee found Yagi unresponsive after she did not check out, and Ballard was later arrested in Okinawa City. He has denied the allegations, and the Marine Corps said it is cooperating with Japanese investigators. The case prompted a strong response from Japanese leaders. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said her government lodged a formal protest with the United States, while Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned U.S. Ambassador George Glass and called for full cooperation and stricter discipline among American military personnel. The incident has renewed attention on tensions surrounding the large U.S. military presence in Okinawa.