U.S. Marine Arrested in Okinawa Woman's Killing as 70% of Japan's U.S. Bases Face Renewed Backlash
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 7
U.S. Marine Arrested in Okinawa Woman's Killing as 70% of Japan's U.S. Bases Face Renewed Backlash
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 7
Summary
Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, was arrested on suspicion of killing 39-year-old Anna Yagi, who police said died of suffocation in an Okinawa hotel; he also faces theft allegations and denies the charges.
48 hours of suspended activities and a 30-day curfew were imposed on U.S. personnel in Okinawa after Tokyo summoned the U.S. ambassador and U.S. Forces Japan commander over the case.
About 180 protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, while Okinawa Governor Genta Koja said he would press Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to reduce the U.S. base burden.
Okinawa hosts about 70% of U.S. military facilities in Japan despite less than 1% of its land area, making the killing a fresh test for Tokyo's push to strengthen defenses near Taiwan.