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U.S. military personnel criminal incidents in Okinawa

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2026-10-04 06:55 UTC → 2026-10-04 09:54 UTC · added ~~removed~~

A series of criminal incidents involving U.S. military personnel in Okinawa has drawn local police attention and diplomatic concern. In early September, two U.S. Marines stationed at Camp Courtney were arrested by Okinawa Police on suspicion of assaulting three Japanese men during the Okinawa All Island Eisa Festival. The suspects, aged 22 and 29, were reportedly intoxicated when they allegedly pushed and punched the victims on Gate Street. By October, a more severe incident occurred in Naha, where a 20-year-old U.S. Marine corporal, identified as Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballad of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was arrested for suspected robbery-homicide. The arrest followed the death of 39-year-old Anna Yagi at the Naminoue Crystal Hotel. Police reported that the victim was found unresponsive after failing to check out on time. Security footage allegedly shows a man entering the room with the woman and later leaving alone with her backpack and wallet. Ballad was apprehended in an Okinawa City nightlife district. While Ballad has denied the allegations, the incident has triggered significant diplomatic tension. Japan's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Takehiro Funakoshi, lodged a formal protest with the U.S. Ambassador, describing the act as ‘unforgivable’ and ‘extremely regrettable.’ Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has also expressed deep ~~regret.~~ regret, describing the crime as ‘extremely brutal and heinous.’ The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the U.S. Marine Corps have stated they are cooperating fully with Japanese authorities and have expressed condolences to the victim's family.

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