Okinawa police arrest Marine in hotel death investigation

Okinawa police arrested a 20-year-old U.S. Marine on suspicion of murdering a 39-year-old woman and stealing her belongings after she was found dead in a hotel in Naha, prompting Japan to lodge a protest with the United States. The allegations have not been proven, and police have not disclosed the circumstances of her death or what led them to the suspect. Police said the woman was found unresponsive in her hotel room early Saturday and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Marine was arrested early Sunday. Authorities identified the woman as Anna Yagi and the suspect as Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, who was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa. According to police, hotel surveillance footage showed a man entering with Yagi and later leaving alone with her belongings. Investigators said the items allegedly taken included her wallet. Police have not provided further details about the alleged robbery or the evidence that led them to identify and arrest Ballard. The nature of the relationship between the two was also unclear in the reports. Japan’s foreign ministry said Deputy Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi lodged a strong protest with U.S.