U.S. Marine Stationed In Japan Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder And Robbery

A U.S. service member was arrested on suspicion of murder and robbery after a Japanese woman’s body was discovered in a hotel in Okinawa, local officials said, describing the alleged killing as a “heinous” incident that prompted the Japanese government to lodge a protest with the United States.

Shinjiro Koizumi, the Japanese minister of defense, said a U.S. Marine lance corporal was arrested on Sunday after the woman’s body was found early on Saturday in Naha, the capital city of the Okinawa prefecture.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the Okinawa Prefectural Police were investigating the incident as a murder.

“The occurrence of such an extremely brutal and heinous incident is a matter of profound regret, and as the Government of Japan, we have lodged a strong protest with the U.S. side,” she said on social media.

NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, identified the suspect as Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, who was stationed at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, a base a few miles outside Naha. The broadcaster identified the alleged victim as Yagi Anna, 39, saying she was pronounced dead at the scene.

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I express my condolences to those who lost their lives in the robbery-murder incident that occurred in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, and extend my sympathies to their bereaved families.

Regarding this case, the investigation by the Okinawa Prefectural Police is ongoing, but I understand that a U.S. Marine Corps member has been arrested today.

The occurrence of such an extremely brutal and heinous incident is a matter of profound regret, and as the Government of Japan, we have lodged a strong protest with the U.S. side, while firmly demanding maximum cooperation with the investigation, strict discipline among U.S. military personnel, and thorough measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and accidents.

As the government, we will address this case with the utmost care and diligence.

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US Marine, 20, arrested in Japan on suspicion of killing local woman at hotel https://t.co/2tzYzKjETl pic.twitter.com/S0Mo0Ih3xH

— New York Post (@nypost) October 4, 2026

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The US Marine Corps is “actively cooperating with Japanese authorities in response to allegations of serious criminal actions by a Marine assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force,” spokesman 1st Lt. Tyler Thomas said in an email to Stars and Stripes.

US Ambassador George Glass said on X that he had spoken with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and pledged “full cooperation as the investigation continues.”

The US Embassy in Tokyo said it was “aware that a US service member is in custody following the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa,” in a X post.

“As an investigation is underway to determine the facts of the case, the United States is communicating and cooperating with the Government of Japan and local authorities,” the embassy wrote.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the victim’s family.”

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