Tokyo, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sunday described as “deeply regrettable” the occurrence of a murder-robbery case in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, that led to the arrest of a U.S. Marine stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station in the southernmost Japan prefecture. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Takaichi called the incident “extremely brutal and heinous” and stressed that “the government will do everything possible in responding to this case.” The prime minister wrote, “I express my condolences to the deceased and offer my sincere sympathies to the bereaved family.” Okinawa prefectural police on Sunday arrested the 20-year-old serviceman, Devin Jacob Ballard, for allegedly murdering a 39-year-old woman in a hotel room in Naha and stealing her belongings on Saturday. He has denied the allegation. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass to the Foreign Ministry on Sunday and lodged a strong protest over the incident, saying that it was “extremely regrettable” and that he felt “strong indignation.” He called for full cooperation with the investigation, stricter discipline among U.S. military personnel and related individuals, and thorough efforts to prevent a recurrence. Glass expressed deep regret and said that the United States would fully cooperate with the investigation by the Japanese authorities. He also said that the United States would do everything possible to prevent such an incident from occurring again. Earlier in the day, Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi also protested the incident in a telephone call with Glass. Glass also posted a statement on X, saying that he had contacted not only the Foreign Ministry but also Okinawa Governor Genta Koja on Sunday morning to pledge full cooperation as the investigation continues. The U.S. Embassy in Japan said in a post on X on Sunday that it is aware of the detention of the U.S. service member and expressed its “sincere condolences” to the victim’s family. The Okinawa governor said in a statement that the incident was “absolutely inexcusable” and that he was “extremely outraged.” He called on the U.S. military to fully cooperate with the investigation and enforce stricter discipline among its personnel, stressing that the prefectural government would “deal with the matter strictly.” Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi summoned Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, commander of U.S. Forces Japan, to the Defense Ministry and lodged a protest, saying that Japan takes the incident “extremely seriously.” Koizumi later told reporters, “We must ensure that the Japan-U.S. alliance remains unwavering under the trust of the Japanese people, including the people of Okinawa.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
