US Marine indicted for murder of Japanese woman, protests erupt

A US Marine has been indicted on charges of murder and robbery in connection with the death of a 39-year-old Japanese woman in Okinawa, a case that has sparked protests and renewed calls for accountability over the presence of US military personnel in Japan.Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, who was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, is accused of killing Anna Yagi at a hotel in Naha, the prefectural capital, on October 3.Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that prosecutors indicted Ballard on Sunday, alleging that he strangled Yagi with a telephone cord and stole her backpack and wallet. Ballard has denied the allegations, although Japanese media reports citing investigators said some of his statements suggested involvement in the incident.Security footage reportedly showed a man believed to be the suspect entering the hotel with Yagi and leaving alone with her belongings.The killing has triggered public anger, with around 100 people protesting in Naha and Tokyo earlier this month. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the incident as “brutal and heinous”, while her government lodged a strong protest with the US and called for strict disciplinary action against military personnel and measures to prevent similar incidents.Okinawa Governor Genta Koja said the prefecture had repeatedly urged the US to take steps to prevent such cases, adding that the alleged crime pointed to a lack of discipline.The US Marine Corps earlier said it was cooperating with Japanese authorities over allegations of serious criminal conduct and expressed condolences to Yagi's family.The case has also prompted a curfew and an alcohol ban for US service members stationed in Okinawa.The island hosts the largest concentration of US military personnel in Japan, which has around 55,000 American troops. Their presence has long been a source of local opposition, with previous crimes involving US servicemen triggering protests.In 1995, tens of thousands of people demonstrated after three US servicemen abducted and raped a 12-year-old Japanese girl. More recently, several sexual assault cases involving US military personnel in Okinawa have fuelled demands for stronger safeguards and accountability.Takaichi said her government had urged Washington to take thorough measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.