Japan summons US envoy as marine arrested over Okinawa murder
The Japanese government has summoned the US ambassador following the arrest of a US Marine accused of murdering a woman in Okinawa. The incident has reignited long-standing tensions regarding the presence of US military bases on the island.
Why it matters
This incident threatens to strain diplomatic relations between the US and Japan and highlights ongoing local opposition to US military presence in Okinawa.
Ambassador promises cooperation after woman killed on island where bases used by US forces have been long contentious.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Most of the 54,000 US military personnel in Japan are based on the island of Okinawa [File: Reuters] By AFP , AP and Reuters Published On 4 Oct 2026 4 Oct 2026 | Updated: 9 minutes ago Updated: 9 minutes ago Japan has summoned the United States ambassador after an American Marine was arrested on suspicion of robbing and killing a woman.
US Ambassador to Japan George Glass pledged “full cooperation” on Sunday. Lance-Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard is accused of killing 39-year-old Anna Yagi on the southern island of Okinawa, where thousands of US servicemen are stationed.
Also covering this story
6 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
U.S. Marine arrested for alleged killing of woman on Okinawa, triggers outrage from Japan
US Marine arrested in Japan on suspicion of murder
US Marine arrested over murder of woman in Okinawa, Japan
U.S. Marine arrested for alleged murder of a woman in Okinawa, Japan
US Marine arrested in Japan over murder, robbery of local woman
US marine arrested in Japan on suspicion of killing woman, police say
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in