US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has promised full cooperation with Japanese authorities investigating allegations that a US Marine murdered a woman in Okinawa, a case that has sparked protests and led the US military to impose new restrictions on personnel.
Rubio made the commitment during a phone call with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, according to a State Department statement released on Saturday. The death of a local woman at a hotel has renewed tensions over the American military presence in Japan.
“Rubio expressed sincere condolences over the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa, as well as the United States’ determination to communicate and fully cooperate with the Government of Japan and local authorities as they conduct an investigation,” the department said.
Devin Jacob Ballard, who is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was arrested on October 4 on suspicion of robbing and murdering Anna Yagi, 39, in a hotel in Naha, the capital, according to local police. Local media reported that Yagi was choked to death and that her wallet was stolen.
The killing caused outrage in Japan. Crimes involving US forces have long been a source of friction between the two security allies and have fueled criticism of the American troop presence. Japan hosts the largest overseas contingent of US forces in the world, and most of the 18,000 Marines based in Japan are stationed on Okinawa.
After the killing, US military personnel on Okinawa were placed under a curfew for one month and barred from drinking alcohol while they undergo training in standards and discipline.
During their call, Rubio and Toshimitsu also discussed US sanctions on the International Criminal Court and the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled to begin in Atlanta on October 30.
The investigation remains under way, with Rubio pledging that Washington will communicate and fully cooperate with Japanese authorities as they conduct it.
