Japan files protest with US over alleged murder-robbery by marine of Okinawa woman

Davin Ballard, 20, was arrested Sunday, according to Kyodo News.

He is suspected of killing Anna Yagi, 39, and taking her wallet and backpack at a hotel in Naha early Saturday, according to Okinawa prefectural police. Ballard has denied the allegations.

The police said that he was seen entering the hotel with Yagi, who was found dead on Saturday morning.

Takehiro Funakoshi, Japan’s vice foreign minister, on Sunday morning filed a protest with George Glass, the US ambassador.

Glass said the US would fully cooperate with the investigation and take all possible measures to prevent a recurrence, according to Japan's Foreign Ministry.

The US Embassy in Japan said on US social media platform X that a US service member is in custody following the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa, adding that an investigation is underway to "determine the facts of the case," and they are cooperating with Japanese and local authorities.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the incident was "extremely regrettable" and that Japan is demanding full cooperation with the investigation, strengthened discipline among US military personnel, and measures to prevent similar incidents.

Okinawa hosts the majority of US military facilities in Japan.

About 50,000 US troops are stationed in Japan under a bilateral security arrangement that has been in place since the end of World War II in 1945.