Japan Summons US Ambassador Over Marine Arrest in Okinawa

Japan has summoned US Ambassador George Glass and lodged a strong protest after a US Marine was arrested on suspicion of robbing and murdering a Japanese woman in Okinawa.

The suspect, identified by Japanese police as 20-year-old Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, is stationed at the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa. Police suspect he killed 39-year-old Anna Yagi at a hotel in Naha on Saturday and took her wallet and backpack. Ballard has denied the allegations.

Japanese police found Yagi's body at the hotel early Saturday. Investigators reportedly reviewed security footage showing a man believed to be Ballard entering the hotel with the woman and later leaving alone. Police subsequently located the Marine in Naha and arrested him on suspicion of robbery and murder.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned Glass to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday and protested what he described as an extremely brutal and heinous incident. He demanded full US cooperation with the investigation, stronger discipline among US military personnel and measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Glass expressed deep regret over the loss of life and said the United States would fully cooperate with Japanese authorities. He also said Washington would do everything it could to prevent such incidents in the future.

Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi separately summoned the commander of US Forces Japan and lodged a strong protest. He called for full cooperation with the investigation, appropriate support for the victim's family and tighter discipline and preventive measures among US military personnel.

The US Marine Corps said it was cooperating with Japanese authorities and expressed condolences to the victim's family. The US Embassy in Tokyo also said it was working with Japanese and local authorities as the investigation continues.

The case has renewed tensions surrounding the US military presence in Okinawa, which hosts a large share of US forces stationed in Japan. Incidents involving US military personnel have long been a source of concern among Okinawan residents and a recurring issue in Japan-US relations.

Source: FSX Business News