US troops in Okinawa face curfew after woman’s killing

US military personnel stationed in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture have been placed under a month-long curfew and banned from consuming alcohol following the alleged murder and robbery of a local woman.

The measures were announced after 20-year-old US Marine Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard was accused of killing 39-year-old Anna Yagi at a hotel in Naha, Okinawa’s capital, on Saturday. Police said Ballard allegedly took the victim’s wallet and backpack. He has denied the allegations.

As part of the response, all US military operations in Okinawa will be suspended for 48 hours. During the pause, service members will undergo training focused on discipline, conduct and standards expected when interacting with local communities.

Lt Gen Benjamin Watson said maintaining trust with Okinawa residents was essential to the US-Japan alliance and regional security. He said actions by military personnel could either strengthen or damage relations with neighbouring communities.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the killing as extremely serious and said she had strongly protested to the United States. She called for measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Police said Yagi died from asphyxiation after the suspect allegedly applied pressure to her neck. Hotel employees discovered her unconscious after she failed to check out. Authorities launched a large-scale search after CCTV footage reportedly showed a man entering the hotel with the victim.

The incident has renewed public concern over the presence of US military personnel in Okinawa. The prefecture hosts a large share of US Marines stationed in Japan and has experienced repeated disputes involving military aircraft, noise and alleged misconduct.

Okinawa Governor Genta Koja is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Takaichi to discuss the government’s response. Protests have also been held in Naha and Tokyo following the killing.

The case could further complicate plans to relocate some US Marines from the crowded Futenma air base to a facility at Henoko. Opposition groups have continued to call for a reduction of the US military presence in Okinawa.

Japan hosts the largest concentration of US military forces outside the United States, with most of the approximately 18,000 US Marines based in the country stationed in Okinawa.