Marine accused of murder in Japan, police say

Japanese police say a U.S. Marine identified as Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, is accused of killing a woman at a hotel in Okinawa, then taking her wallet and backpack. The incident occurred in Naha, the capital of Japan’s southernmost prefecture, and has drawn condemnation and protests from Japanese officials. Okinawa hosts thousands of Marines, and officials filed a protest with the U.S. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government “strongly protests” and seeks “maximum cooperation” in the investigation. The U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. embassy told Reuters they are cooperating with Japanese authorities. Ballard was reportedly in Japanese custody, and roughly 18,000 Marines are stationed in Japan, most in Okinawa.