US Marine accused of killing Japanese woman in Okinawa

A US Marine was arrested on suspicion of robbing and murdering a

Japanese woman in Okinawa.

Devin Jacob Ballard is suspected of killing Anna Yagi in a hotel in Nara

on Saturday, and taking her wallet and backpack, according to local police.

Ballard denied the allegations.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi registered a protest with the

US, and requested for maximum cooperation with the investigation.

The US embassy and the Marine Corps expressed condolences

over the incident and said they are cooperating with the Japanese

authorities.

The killing could complicate Takaichi's efforts to relocate some

Marines to a facility at Henoko, while opponents want the troops

moved out of the prefecture entirely.