In Okinawa, Japan, a U.S. Marine has been arrested for allegedly murdering a local woman and stealing her belongings, reigniting local backlash against U.S. military crimes. The Japanese government and Okinawa officials have lodged strong protests with the United States, demanding thorough cooperation in the investigation and measures to prevent future incidents.
According to reports from Asahi Shimbun and others, Okinawa police arrested 20-year-old Marine Devin Jacob Ballard on October 4 on charges of robbery and murder. He is accused of killing a 39-year-old Japanese woman at a hotel in Naha between 2:10 a.m. and 4:17 a.m. on October 3, then fleeing with her wallet and backpack. The victim was confirmed to have died from asphyxiation due to strangulation.
Surveillance footage from the hotel showed a man entering with the victim but leaving alone. Police tracked down a man resembling the suspect about 20 kilometers away in a nightlife district of Okinawa City. Although his clothing was different, distinctive tattoos on his arms matched those seen in the CCTV footage, leading police to request his cooperation, resulting in his arrest. Ballard has denied the allegations.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her deep regret over the incident on X (formerly Twitter) on October 4, stating that the government has lodged a strong protest with the U.S. Taro Kono, Japan's Foreign Minister, summoned U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass to demand full cooperation in the investigation and the establishment of discipline among U.S. military personnel to prevent future incidents. Glass expressed deep regret and assured that the U.S. government would fully cooperate with Japanese authorities and take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also called on U.S. Forces Japan Commander Steven Jost to ensure discipline among U.S. troops and prevent recurrences.
Okinawa Governor Kenta Koza, who took office on September 30, faced a significant challenge just days into his tenure. On October 4, he stated that the incident has caused great shock and anxiety among residents living near U.S. bases, declaring it unacceptable. He also protested the incident during a phone call with Ambassador Glass, requesting cooperation in the investigation and measures to prevent future occurrences. On October 5, Okinawa officials plan to summon U.S. military and consulate representatives, as well as officials from Japan's Foreign and Defense Ministries, to express their grievances, with Koza also planning to protest directly to the Japanese government.
Anti-U.S. protests have continued, with approximately 160 participants gathering for a demonstration in front of the Naha City Hall on October 4. Over 100 citizens held a silent protest in front of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. This year marks the 10th anniversary of a similar incident in Uruma City, where a U.S. military contractor was convicted of murdering a woman. Protesters recalled that another Okinawan woman has lost her life and called for measures to prevent further victimization.
The recurrence of serious crimes committed by U.S. military personnel in Okinawa has fueled local resentment. According to Asahi Shimbun, the number of serious crimes involving U.S. military personnel, including robbery and sexual violence, reached eight in 2024, the highest in the past decade, with six cases reported in 2025.
In response, the U.S. military implemented measures in 2024 to prevent recurrences, prohibiting access to establishments serving alcohol between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Starting in April 2025, U.S. military police began joint patrols with Japanese police in areas like Okinawa City and Naha. Following these measures, only one serious crime was reported by August of this year. However, Asahi Shimbun noted that this incident has revealed the limitations of existing prevention measures.
This incident is likely to bring renewed attention to the contentious U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, which has been a point of contention whenever crimes involving U.S. military personnel occur. Okinawa has long demanded revisions to the agreement, which outlines the legal status of U.S. forces in Japan and the handling of criminal cases, but it has never been amended.
The Status of Forces Agreement stipulates that Japan has primary jurisdiction in cases where U.S. military personnel commit crimes unrelated to their official duties. However, if the suspect is in U.S. custody, the U.S. retains the right to detain them until Japan formally charges them.
In this case, Japanese police arrested the suspect outside the base, securing custody of him. In 1995, when three U.S. servicemen were accused of raping a schoolgirl, the U.S. refused to hand over the suspects before charges were filed, leading to significant backlash from Okinawa residents. This incident prompted an agreement between the two countries to 'consider favorably' requests for custody from Japan in cases of serious crimes such as murder and rape. However, the actual transfer of custody remains at the discretion of the U.S. authorities, leading to ongoing calls for revisions to the Status of Forces Agreement in Okinawa.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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