The alleged homicide of an Okinawa resident by Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard is a heinous crime, Sanae Takaichi has stated
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has condemned the alleged killing of a lady in Okinawa by a US Marine, calling it a “heinous crime” and demanding more durable self-discipline and measures to forestall a recurrence. The incident has additionally reignited public anger and protests over long-time American navy presence.
The controversy erupted on Sunday after Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was arrested on suspicion of strangling Anna Yagi, 39, at a resort in Naha and stealing her pockets and backpack. Security footage confirmed the person getting into the resort with Yagi and later leaving alone with what gave the impression to be her belongings. Ballard has denied the accusations.
Addressing parliament on Monday, Takaichi referred to as the case “extremely regrettable” and a “heinous crime,” urging Washington to completely cooperate with the investigation and stop related incidents sooner or later. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned US Ambassador George Glass, whereas Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi individually summoned US Forces Japan commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost to lodge protests.
Okinawa Governor Genta Koja additionally referred to as the case “absolutely unacceptable,” including that “efforts to enforce discipline among US military personnel and provide human rights education are not working.”
The US embassy in Japan prolonged its “sincere condolences to the victim’s family,” including that US officers are cooperating with Japanese authorities. The Third Marine Expeditionary Force said that the “Marine Corps takes these allegations very seriously and expects every Marine to adhere to the highest standards of behavior.”
Neither President Donald Trump nor senior cupboard officers, together with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have publicly commented on the case.
The case additionally sparked backlash from Okinawa residents, with about 160 folks rallying in Naha, the capital metropolis of the prefecture, condemning the killing and renewing requires US bases to be faraway from the island.
The anger over US navy presence on Okinawa – which has been there since 1945 – has been simmering for a number of a long time. Despite accounting for less than about 0.6% of Japan’s territory, Okinawa hosts roughly 70% of the nation’s US-exclusive navy facility space.
Crimes involving US personnel have repeatedly triggered main protests. In 1995, three US servicemen kidnapped and raped a 12-year-old Okinawan woman, fueling mass demonstrations. In 2016, former Marine and US base employee Kenneth Franklin Gadson raped and murdered 20-year-old Rina Shimabukuro and was later sentenced to life imprisonment.
(RT.com)