US military imposes Okinawa curfew after Marine’s arrest in killing case
publishers 98articles 119first reported 4 Oct, 00:45 UTCdeveloping since 4 Oct · 12 editions
The US military in Okinawa has imposed new restrictions on personnel after Japanese police arrested a Marine on suspicion of robbing and killing a local woman, a case that has renewed protests over the American military presence on the island.
Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of strangling Anna Yagi, 39, in a Naha hotel early Saturday and stealing her wallet and backpack. Ballard, who is assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force and stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, has denied the allegations, according to Japanese media.
Security footage allegedly showed a man entering the hotel with Yagi and later leaving alone with her belongings. Ballard remains in Japanese custody while police investigate.
Japan summoned US Ambassador George Glass and lodged a formal protest. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the alleged crime “extremely brutal and heinous” and demanded maximum US cooperation. Glass pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
The US military ordered a 48-hour operational pause beginning Wednesday, barring off-base liberty and alcohol consumption while personnel undergo training on standards, discipline and community responsibilities. Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson also announced a monthlong midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew beginning Friday.
Okinawa Governor Genta Koja urged Japan’s central government to reduce the island’s burden from hosting US bases and said previous US disciplinary measures had failed. About 100 people protested in Naha and Tokyo, according to the BBC, amid renewed anger over crimes involving US personnel.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 6 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 84 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 98
- Source articles
- 119
- Given to the writer
- 8, 5 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 6
- This version written
- 84 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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