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'Not again': Arrest of US marine for murder reignites protests in Japan's Okinawa
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- A US Marine, Devin Jacob Ballard, was arrested in Okinawa for the alleged robbery and murder of 39-year-old Anna Yagi in a hotel room, reigniting local frustration over crimes involving US military personnel.
- Okinawa hosts the largest US military presence in Japan, with about 55,000 personnel, and has seen thousands of related criminal offenses since its return to Japanese control in 1972.
- The jurisdiction over crimes depends on whether the service member was acting under official duty; Ballard is currently in Japanese custody as the alleged crime was unrelated to military duties.
- Local residents and activists have expressed deep disappointment with government responses, calling for stronger measures and direct diplomatic engagement between Japan and the US to prevent future incidents.
- The incident has sparked protests in Okinawa and Tokyo, reflecting long-standing resentment over US military-related crimes and disturbances, including past high-profile cases such as the 2016 rape and murder of a local woman.
