A US Marine’s indictment over a Japanese woman’s alleged murder sparks protests in Okinawa
The killing has triggered public anger, with around 100 people protesting in Naha and Tokyo earlier this month.
Ballard has denied the allegations, although Japanese media reports citing investigators said some of his statements suggested involvement in the incident. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the incident as “brutal and heinous”, while her government lodged a strong protest with the US and called for strict disciplinary action against military personnel and measures to prevent similar incidents. Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that prosecutors indicted Ballard on Sunday, alleging that he strangled Yagi with a telephone cord and stole her backpack and wallet.
The US Marine Corps earlier said it was cooperating with Japanese authorities over allegations of serious criminal conduct and expressed condolences to Yagi’s family.
A US Marine has been indicted on charges of murder and robbery in connection with the death of a 39-year-old Japanese woman in Okinawa, a case that has sparked protests and renewed calls for accountability over the presence of US military personnel in Japan.