Crimes committed by U.S. personnel stationed in Okinawa, including murder and rape, have been a persistent issue.

On Sunday, a 20-year-old U.S. Marine stationed in Japan’s southernmost prefecture of Okinawa was arrested by local police on suspicion of robbing and murdering a woman.

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The suspect, named Davin Ballard, is stationed at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa. He is suspected of killing a 39-year-old local woman and taking her wallet and backpack in the early hours of Saturday at a hotel in Naha.

The suspect was seen entering the hotel with the woman, who was found dead on Saturday morning. He was spotted, questioned, and detained by a police officer on a street in Naha’s entertainment district late Saturday. Ballard has denied the allegations. Police are investigating the details of the case.

“I express my condolences to those who lost their lives in the robbery-murder incident that occurred in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, and extend my sympathies to their bereaved families. The occurrence of such an extremely brutal and heinous incident is a matter of profound regret,” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated, as reported by RT.

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During Okinawa Memorial Day, US military personnel attended the mourning ceremony.

Meanwhile, protesters gathered in Okinawa on Tuesday to condemn the continued US military presence on the island.

Over 6,200 crimes have… pic.twitter.com/fqXvgkAHjT

— The Specter (@specter_affairs) June 24, 2026

“We have lodged a strong protest with the U.S. side, while firmly demanding maximum cooperation with the investigation, strict discipline among U.S. military personnel, and thorough measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and accidents. As the government, we will address this case with the utmost care and diligence,” she added.

Japan’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi also lodged a protest on Sunday with U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass over the case.

Crimes committed by U.S. military personnel stationed in Okinawa, including grave offenses such as murder, rape, and robbery, have long been a serious and persistent issue.

Official statistics show that in 2025 alone, local police handled more than 100 criminal cases involving U.S. service members and related personnel.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: Xinhua – RT

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