US Marine arrested over murder of Japanese woman in Okinawa hotel

A US Marine stationed in Okinawa has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 39-year-old Japanese woman in a hotel. Secretary of State Rubio pledged full cooperation with Japanese authorities.

Rubio pledges full US cooperation after Marine held over Okinawa killing

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pledged to cooperate fully with Japanese authorities investigating the alleged murder of a local woman by a US Marine in Okinawa, aljazeera.com reports.

Rubio spoke with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu by phone on Saturday following the death, which has reignited tensions over the American military presence in Japan.

"Rubio expressed sincere condolences over the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa, as well as the United States' determination to communicate and fully cooperate with the Government of Japan and local authorities as they conduct an investigation," the US Department of State said in a statement.

Devin Jacob Ballard, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was arrested on 4 October on suspicion of robbing and murdering Anna Yagi, 39, in a hotel in the Okinawan capital, Naha. Local police say she was choked to death and her wallet stolen. Ballard has denied the allegations.

The case has provoked widespread outrage in Japan, where crimes involving US military personnel have long strained relations between the two security allies. Japan hosts the largest overseas contingent of US forces anywhere in the world, with around 18,000 Marines based in Japan — the majority of them on Okinawa.

In response to the killing, US military personnel on the island have been placed under a monthlong curfew, banned from consuming alcohol, and required to undergo mandatory discipline and standards training.

Rubio and Toshimitsu also discussed US sanctions on the International Criminal Court and the upcoming G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in Atlanta, due to begin on 30 October.

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)