Japan’s Okinawa assembly seeks review of US forces pact after Marine accused of murder
Protest resolution calls on US military to take action against Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, who is suspected of robbing and murdering a woman
TOKYO, Japan (MNTV) – Japan’s Okinawa prefectural assembly called Friday for a “fundamental review” of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement after a US Marine was accused in a robbery-murder case.
Japan saw protests and widespread outrage after Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan City, was suspected of killing Anna Yagi, 39, at a hotel in the prefectural capital of Naha on Saturday.
The prefectural assembly called for a review of the agreement as Okinawa hosts roughly half of the 50,000 US troops stationed in Japan.
The protest resolution adopted by the assembly called on the US military to take action against Ballard, who has denied any wrongdoing, “to prevent a recurrence,” Kyodo News Agency reported.
It added that the assembly also adopted a statement to the “same effect addressed to the Japanese government.”
“Both documents also call for a fundamental review of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement,” said the report.
Ballard was arrested Sunday and has been sent to prosecutors.
The incident triggered protests in Okinawa, formerly under US control from 1945 to 1972, as well as in Tokyo where people sought action against the accused.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has decried the incident, with Tokyo summoning the US ambassador as well as the US forces commander in Okinawa and lodging protests.
The US military in the prefecture imposed a pause in operations for 48 hours since Wednesday and announced a curfew for the next 30 days beginning Friday.
Okinawa has also seen protests in the past after cases of sexual assault by US soldiers came to light.
“Past crimes involving US military personnel, including those against women and girls, have angered residents of Okinawa,” the report said.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
