Naha:Tokyo Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed "regret" over an alleged robbery-murder involving a US Marine in Okinawa during a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as reported by Japan's Foreign Ministry.
According to Anadolu Agency, the two officials discussed measures to prevent similar incidents and reaffirmed the strength of the US-Japan Alliance, which they described as vital for peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Rubio also expressed condolences for the death of a Japanese national and emphasized the United States' commitment to cooperating fully with Japan during the investigation.
Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force, was arrested on suspicion of killing 39-year-old Anna Yagi at a hotel in Naha, Okinawa. Ballard has denied any wrongdoing and has been transferred to prosecutors.
The incident has led to protests in Okinawa and Tokyo, with renewed calls for a review of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement. Okinawa's prefectural assembly passed a resolution urging a fundamental review of the agreement and called on the US military to implement measures to prevent similar occurrences.
Okinawa hosts about half of the 50,000 US troops stationed in Japan. In response to the incident, Tokyo has summoned the US ambassador and the American forces commander in Okinawa to formally protest.