OMM Redaksiyası
Okinawa’s prefectural assembly on Friday called for a fundamental review of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement after a US Marine was accused in a robbery-murder case, Kyodo News reported.
The assembly adopted a resolution urging the US military to take action against Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard to prevent a recurrence. Ballard, 20, has denied wrongdoing.
It also adopted a statement addressed to the Japanese government with the same request. Both documents called for a fundamental review of the agreement, according to Kyodo.
Ballard, who was assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, was arrested on Sunday and sent to prosecutors. He is suspected of killing Anna Yagi, 39, at a hotel in Naha, the prefectural capital, on Saturday.
The case has prompted protests in Okinawa and Tokyo. Okinawa hosts roughly half of the 50,000 US troops stationed in Japan.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi condemned the incident. The Japanese government summoned the US ambassador and the commander of US forces in Okinawa and lodged protests.
The US military in Okinawa suspended operations for 48 hours from Wednesday and announced a curfew for 30 days starting Friday.
Okinawa was under US control from 1945 to 1972. The prefecture has also seen protests following the disclosure of sexual assault cases involving US service members.
