On the afternoon of October 5, Okinawa Governor Gu Xie Hyenta submitted a letter of protest to the US Marine Corps Third Expeditionary Force and US Marines Commander Benjamin Watson in Japan regarding the suspected robbery and murder case of the US military stationed in Japan. Allegedly, Watson said, “I am deeply saddened by this serious incident. I am aware that this incident has brought great concern and anxiety to the Okinawan people, and I expect all US military personnel to maintain the 'highest standards of conduct and character at all times' regardless of whether they are on duty.” However, according to Japanese media reports, Watson did not apologize for the incident. On October 4, Japanese police arrested US Marine Corps Senior Soldier Devin Jacob Ballard belonging to the US military base in Futenma, Okinawa. This person is suspected of robbing and killing a local woman at a hotel in Naha city in the early morning of October 3. According to Japanese media reports today, the victim had something similar to a cable wrapped around her neck, leaving traces of being strangled. The cause of death appears to have been asphyxiation caused by compression on her neck. Ballard, on the other hand, denied the accusations during the investigation, saying “I had no idea about this.” The Okinawa Prefectural Police handed over Ballard to the prosecution office today.

On the afternoon of October 5, Okinawa Governor Gu Xie Hyenta submitted a letter of protest to the US Marine Corps Third Expeditionary Force and US Marines Commander Benjamin Watson in Japan regarding the suspected robbery and murder case of the US military stationed in Japan. Allegedly, Watson said, “I am deeply saddened by this serious incident. I am aware that this incident has brought great concern and anxiety to the Okinawan people, and I expect all US military personnel to maintain the 'highest standards of conduct and character at all times' regardless of whether they are on duty.” However, according to Japanese media reports, Watson did not apologize for the incident. On October 4, Japanese police arrested US Marine Corps Senior Soldier Devin Jacob Ballard belonging to the US military base in Futenma, Okinawa. This person is suspected of robbing and killing a local woman at a hotel in Naha city in the early morning of October 3. According to Japanese media reports today, the victim had something similar to a cable wrapped around her neck, leaving traces of being strangled. The cause of death appears to have been asphyxiation caused by compression on her neck. Ballard, on the other hand, denied the accusations during the investigation, saying “I had no idea about this.” The Okinawa Prefectural Police handed over Ballard to the prosecution office today.