Japanese prosecutors on Sunday indicted a U.S. Marine on a charge of robbery and causing death in the killing of a 39-year-old woman in Okinawa earlier this month.
Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, is accused of strangling Anna Yagi, 39, with a telephone cord and stealing her backpack at a hotel in Naha, Okinawa, in the early hours of Oct. 3, according to Japanese authorities.
Prosecutors allege Ballard wrapped a telephone handset cord around Yagi’s neck with the intent to kill her before taking her backpack, which contained a wallet and other personal belongings.
Investigators determined from security camera footage and other evidence that Ballard and Yagi took a taxi from Okinawa City to Naha’s entertainment district before entering the hotel where the killing occurred, according to police.
Ballard denied knowledge of the allegations during police questioning following his arrest, telling investigators, “I don’t know anything about it,” according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK One.
Hiroya Ishii, deputy chief prosecutor at the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office, said prosecutors would present their case in accordance with the law and available evidence.
“Going forward, we will do our utmost to make accurate arguments and present evidence based on the law and evidence in the trial,” Ishii said.
The Marine Corps said it would continue cooperating with Japanese authorities as the case proceeds.
“We recognize the seriousness of the charges and will continue to cooperate fully with Japanese authorities in their ongoing investigation as the legal process moves forward,” 1st Lt. Tyler Thomas, a spokesman for the III Marine Expeditionary Force, told Stars and Stripes.
The case adds to longstanding tensions over the U.S. military presence on Okinawa, where residents have complained for decades about noise, pollution, and crimes involving American service members.
Approximately 50,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Japan under a bilateral security agreement, with roughly half based on Okinawa. The island’s strategic importance to the U.S.-Japan alliance has grown as both countries respond to rising tensions with China and strengthen military positions in Japan’s southwestern islands.
Crimes involving U.S. personnel have periodically strained relations between Tokyo and Okinawa’s local government, which has pressed for greater accountability and relief from the burden of hosting American military installations.
The indictment also comes as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government seeks to strengthen Japan’s military presence on Okinawa and deepen cooperation with U.S. forces.
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Takaichi condemned the killing following the incident, calling it “extremely regrettable.”
Her government strongly protested to the United States and demanded full cooperation with Japanese authorities, stricter discipline for U.S. service members, and measures to prevent similar incidents.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
