Devin Jacob Ballard, a 20-year-old US Marine, was arrested after being held responsible for a robbery that resulted in the murder of a woman. The young soldier, employed at the Futenma air base in the city of Ginowan, in Okinawa prefecture in Japan, allegedly killed 39-year-old Anna Yagi in a hotel in Naha (city in southern Japan), and then stole her wallet and backpack she was carrying. Brought before the local judicial authorities, the US soldier denied all the accusations.
Camera images
According to investigators, however, several video surveillance cameras installed in the area would have recorded Ballard entering the hotel in the company of the woman, who was found dead in the early hours of Saturday 3 October. The 20-year-old was then stopped while walking alone on a city street.
Tension between Japan and the United States
The affair is causing some diplomatic tension between Japan and the United States. This morning, Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi lodged a formal protest with the US Ambassador to Japan, George Glass. Even the Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, harshly condemned the incident with a post on social media: “I express my condolences to those who lost their lives in the robbery and murder that took place in the city of Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, and I offer my deepest condolences to the victim’s family”, we read.
I spoke this morning with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs @MofaJapan_en and @GentaKoja Okinawa Governor Koja, offering our sincere condolences and pledging full cooperation as the investigation continues.
— ジョージ・グラス駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) October 4, 2026
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi concludes: “The occurrence of such an extremely brutal and heinous incident is a matter of deep regret, and as the Government of Japan, we have lodged a strong protest with the US side, while firmly demanding maximum cooperation in the investigation, strict discipline among US military personnel, and thorough measures to prevent the recurrence of such episodes and incidents.”