U.S. Marine arrested on suspicion of murdering and robbing Japanese woman in Okinawa hotel

A U.S. Marine has been arrested in Okinawa, Japan, on suspicion of murdering and robbing a Japanese woman whose body was discovered inside a hotel in Naha.

Japanese police identified the suspect as Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The victim was identified as 39-year-old Anna Yagi. Police suspect Ballard killed her and stole her wallet and backpack. He has denied the allegations.

Surveillance footage reportedly showed the victim entering the hotel with the suspect before he later left alone. She was subsequently found unresponsive and pronounced dead.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the alleged killing as extremely brutal and said Japan had lodged a strong protest with the United States, demanding full cooperation with the investigation and measures to prevent similar incidents.

The U.S. Marine Corps said it is cooperating with Japanese authorities. The suspect remains in Japanese custody while the investigation continues.