Tokyo Report | Security | East Asia

US Marine’s Arrest for Murder Tests Okinawa’s New Governor

An alleged killing days after Koja Genta took office threatens Tokyo’s hopes for closer cooperation with Okinawa on its expanding southwestern defense posture.

An aerial view of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which is surrounded by civilian buildings.

Okinawa’s new governor had barely begun his effort to improve relations with Tokyo when an alleged killing involving a U.S. Marine confronted him with the prefecture’s most persistent political dilemma: how to support national defense while protecting residents who bear a disproportionate share of its costs.

Okinawa Prefectural Police arrested Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, early on October 4. He is suspected of killing Yagi Anna, a 39-year-old Naha resident, at a hotel and stealing her belongings. Ballard denies the allegations. The Marine Corps has pledged cooperation with Japanese investigators.

The case immediately drew protests from both national and prefectural authorities. Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu summoned U.S. Ambassador George Glass, while Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro summoned U.S. Forces Japan commander Lieutenant General Stephen Jost. 

On October 5, before delivering her policy speech to the Diet, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae condemned the incident and demanded full investigative cooperation, tighter discipline, and effective measures to prevent further crimes.

For Governor Koja Genta, who took office on September 30, the timing was especially difficult.

His September 13 election ended 12 years of prefectural leadership opposed to relocating Futenma to Henoko in northern Okinawa. Koja has sought a more cooperative relationship with Tokyo. Effective October 1, he replaced the prefectural division handling opposition to the Henoko project with an office focused on accelerating the return of U.S. military land.

But his cooperation was never unconditional. Koja has acknowledged the need for defense capabilities while demanding advance explanations and local understanding. 

In a protest letter read aloud to Lieutenant General Benjamin Watson, commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force, and U.S. Consul General Andrew Ou on October 5, Koja said that the recurrence of such a serious crime “leads us to conclude that U.S. military efforts regarding discipline and human rights education are completely ineffective.” He demanded stronger preventive measures and a review of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA.

Watson expressed condolences and pledged continued cooperation with the investigation, saying the U.S. military was committed to being “good neighbors” and earning the trust of the Okinawan people.

That exchange reflects a longstanding problem.

Okinawa........

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