US Marine arrested in Japan over suspected killing of woman as Tokyo lodges 'strong protest'

A U.S.Marine stationed in Japan has been arrested on suspicion of robbing and killing a 39-year-old woman at a hotel in Okinawa, prompting Japanese officials to lodge a formal protest with the United States.Lance Cpl.

Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, is suspected of killing Anna Yagi at a hotel in Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, early Saturday and taking her wallet and backpack, according to Japanese police.Ballard has denied the allegations, police said.SERVICE MEMBER AMONG 2 ARRESTED AFTER MISSING MAN PROBE LEADS COPS TO BODY DUMP SITE ON ARMY BASEIn this aerial image shows a landfill work preparing the area for the relocation of the U.S.Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Henoko district of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan on January 15, 2019.

(Richard Atrero de Guzman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Ballard is assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force and based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, according to the Marine Corps.Surveillance footage showed Yagi entering the hotel with Ballard before he later left alone, Stars and Stripes reported, citing Okinawa police.A hotel employee later found Yagi unresponsive after she failed to check out.Police subsequently located Ballard in Okinawa City and arrested him, according to the outlet.Fox News Digital has reached out to the Okinawa Prefectural Police for additional information.THAI RESORT CITY CRACKS DOWN ON PROSTITUTION AHEAD OF USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN ARRIVALA U.S.

Marines patch is shown on a uniform at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on September 26, 2025, in San Diego, California.(Kevin Carter/Getty Images)The Marine Corps said it was cooperating with Japanese authorities and that Ballard remained in Japanese custody."The Marine Corps takes these allegations very seriously and expects every Marine to adhere to the highest standards of behavior," the service said in a statement obtained by Reuters.The arrest prompted swift condemnation from senior Japanese officials.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi o...