Japanese media: Japanese police investigated 4,998 criminal cases involving US troops stationed in Japan in 37 years

China News Service, October 10. According to a recent report by Japan's "Red Flag Newspaper", data from the Japanese National Police Agency show that from 1989 to May 2026, the Japanese police investigated and dealt with a total of 4,998 criminal cases involving U.S. troops stationed in Japan and their families and other related personnel, of which 2,447 occurred in Okinawa Prefecture, accounting for 49% of the total.

According to reports, during the above-mentioned period, there were a total of 266 vicious cases of murder, robbery, arson, rape, etc., including 129 in Okinawa Prefecture, 67 in Kanagawa Prefecture, and 34 in Tokyo.

The report also stated that Okinawa Prefecture only accounts for about 0.6% of Japan's land area, but it contains about 70% of the area dedicated to the US military stationed in Japan. The number of local criminal cases involving US troops stationed in Japan continues to rise, reaching 101 in 2025.

The report said that the heavy base burden is directly related to the frequent crimes committed by US military personnel, but the Japanese and US governments have not taken effective response measures.

According to previous reports, Okinawa Prefecture police arrested American soldier Devin Ballard on October 4. Ballard is 20 years old and belongs to the U.S. Marine Corps stationed at Futenma Base. He is suspected of killing a Japanese woman at a hotel in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture on the 3rd and taking away the victim's wallet and other items. The case triggered strong anger among the Japanese people.