Japan, US marine arrested for murder in Okinawa: curfew imposed

The US military has implemented a month-long nighttime curfew for soldiers stationed in Okinawa, Japan, following the arrest of 20-year-old Marine Devin Jacob Ballard. The soldier is accused of killing a 39-year-old Japanese woman, Anna Yagi, in a hotel room, and stealing her backpack and wallet, although the suspect has denied any wrongdoing. In addition to the mandatory curfew from midnight to 5 am, the military command ordered the suspension of all activities on the bases for two days, during which an absolute ban on the consumption of alcohol was imposed. This stop will serve to subject the soldiers to special training focused on discipline, behavioral standards and respect for their responsibilities towards the local population.

The US bases in Okinawa host several very important US bases and around 26 thousand soldiers: relations with the population have been tense for some time and have been complicated by a series of crimes committed by the soldiers, including murders and rapes. The recent murder sparked some protests in Naha, the Okinawa city where it happened, and in Tokyo, calling for the removal of the US soldiers.