The case of Japanese-American soldiers suspected of robbery and murder involving a Japanese woman continues to escalate. As more details about the crime come to light, public anger in Japan is growing, and the US military stationed in Okinawa has been forced to strengthen security measures.
According to reports by Japan's Asahi TV, Kyodo News, and AP on October 6, Devin Jacob Ballard, a 20-year-old U.S. Marine suspected of robbery and murder, who serves at the Puentilla Base in Okinawa, has been transferred to the prosecution.
Suspect AP
The incident occurred in the early morning of October 3rd. According to Japanese police investigations, around 2:10 a.m. that day, Barad entered a hotel in Naha City along with 39-year-old Okinawa woman Yu Yixin.
Over an hour later, surveillance cameras near the hotel captured a man suspected to be Ballard leaving the hotel alone, carrying Yu Yi Xing Nai’s bag in his hand.
By the time it was time to check out, due to the guests not leaving, hotel staff entered the rooms to check on them and found that Yiyi Xingnai had been lying dead on the ground.
Legal examinations indicate that Mayumi Anna died from suffocation, with traces of being strangled by a cord-like object around her neck. According to the latest reports from Japanese media, the police suspect that the suspect used the telephone line in a hotel room to strangle the victim, and then stole items such as wallets and backpacks. The police also suspect that the suspect changed clothes after leaving the hotel in order to evade pursuit.
Baldar was later arrested by the police in Okinawa City. In the face of police questioning, he repeatedly replied "I don't know," denying the related charges. The case is still under investigation and judicial proceedings are ongoing.
After the details of the case were exposed, protests quickly emerged in Okinawa.
According to a report by the Japan Times, about a hundred people gathered near the Okinawa Prefectural Government to protest. A woman who attended the protest with her 4-year-old son said, "The soldiers stationed at the military bases in Okinawa are supposed to protect Japan, yet they have killed civilians. I think this is a contradiction."
Another local woman said, “I don’t want to see anyone suffer anymore.”
There were those who protested, "How long will we have to endure such things?"
According to AFP's report on October 6th, Japanese citizens also gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo that day to protest against 'the violent behavior of American soldiers'.
Protestors on site held up slogans such as "No More Violence by US Soldiers" and "Guam Is Not Your Playground!" and shouted them out in unison:
Cordova does not need US military bases!
"Army of the United States Leave"
Protester organizer and 24-year-old Okinawan Kuzumi Kūkō said that compared to other parts of Japan, Okinawa bears a much heavier burden of US military bases, and local residents face a higher risk as a result.
"Thinking about how we have to raise children in such an environment, I feel it is extremely unfair." she said. "My heart is only filled with anger and sadness."
The 67-year-old protester Naoko Fujita told AFP that she has long been dissatisfied with Tokyo's handling of the issue of crimes committed by U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan. She hopes that foreign armies stationed there will leave.
Japan government also raised objections to the U.S. side.
Japanese Prime Minister Shizuka Kohashi said that this case is "extremely regrettable." The Japanese government has lodged a strong protest with the US side and has requested the US to fully cooperate with the investigation, maintain strict military discipline, and take thorough measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again. According to Reuters, Kohashi described the case as an "extremely cruel and despicable" incident.
Local residents said that Prime Minister Naoto Koizumi's statement was far from enough. For decades, the Japanese government has always responded to similar incidents with vague statements like "taking the matter seriously," without offering any concrete measures, which is disappointing. Some residents also said that there have been frequent crimes committed by U.S. military personnel in Japan, and Okinawa does not need the presence of U.S. troops.
Okinawa County Governor Kushei Genzo directly summoned Benjamin Watson, the highest-ranking officer in the US military stationed in Okinawa, and the Okinawa Area Coordinator.
Gushi said that the recurrence of such incidents only indicates that the military discipline reforms and human rights education implemented by the US military "have not been effective at all."
However, Asahi TV noticed that Watson did not apologize directly regarding this case during the meeting. Gushi subsequently stated, 'The citizens of the county cannot accept it.' If the suspect's crimes are ultimately confirmed, the US side should apologize to the survivors and the citizens of Okinawa.
As the incident continued to escalate, the US military announced further measures on October 6.
According to The Associated Press, the U.S. military in Okinawa will suspend regular operations for 48 hours. During this period, soldiers are not allowed to leave the base at times other than when they are on duty. Additionally, education on discipline, behavior standards, and community responsibilities will be conducted. Subsequently, starting from October 9th, the U.S. military will impose a 30-day restriction on evening outings. Outings between 12 o’clock and 5 a.m. each day will be restricted.
This case once again triggers the sensitive issues in Okinawa society regarding crimes committed by U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan.
Okinawa has long been burdened by heavy military presence. According to AFP, about 70% of the military facilities dedicated to US forces are located in Okinawa. Cases involving US military personnel, such as rape, attacks, hit-and-run accidents, and drunk driving incidents, have led to continuous protests in the area over the years.
According to data from the Japanese police, the number of criminal cases involving U.S. military personnel in Okinawa has increased in recent years. The number rose from about 40 in 2020 to 101 in 2025.
On the 6th, Japan's TBS television station reported that several American media outlets have also noticed the strong reaction to this incident in Japan, and described a 'strong voice of anger' emerging within Japan.
