Okinawa Governor Calls Hotel Killing Lack of Discipline by US Forces

Okinawa hosts about 55,000 US soldiers, the largest concentration in Japan. On October 3, a woman died at a hotel in the prefectural capital, Naha. Japanese prosecutors have now filed charges in the case.

Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, is assigned to US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. He was arrested on suspicion of killing Anna Yagi, 39. The indictment alleges he strangled Yagi with a telephone cord, then took her backpack and wallet.

Security footage shows a man believed to be Ballard entering the hotel with Yagi and later leaving by himself with her belongings. Reports from Asahi Shimbun and Kyodo News say investigators stated Ballard has made comments suggesting involvement. It was previously reported that Ballard had denied the allegations.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the crime "brutal and heinous." Her government lodged a "strong" protest with the US and requested "strict disciplinary action against US military personnel and thorough measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents." Okinawa Governor Genta Koja said the prefecture has repeatedly asked the US to prevent such incidents and views this case as a lack of discipline.

The Marine Corps said it is "actively cooperating with Japanese authorities, in response to allegations of serious criminal actions by a Marine" and extended condolences to the family.

About 100 people protested in Naha and Tokyo earlier this month. In 1995, tens of thousands marched after a 12-year-old girl was abducted, beaten and raped. In 2024, there were four sexual assault cases involving US troops in Okinawa. In 2025, Lance Cpl Jamel Clayton received a seven-year sentence for sexual assault.

The indictment was reported by Japanese media on October 26.