Post by @themastersausage

A 20-year-old U.S. Marine assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma is in Japanese custody on suspicion of robbery and murder in the death of Anna Yagi, 39, in Naha, Okinawa. Japanese police say Yagi died of asphyxiation after the Marine allegedly pressed on her neck. Police say security footage showed the two enter a hotel together and showed the Marine leave alone. Authorities also allege Yagi’s wallet and backpack were taken. The Marine, Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, denies the allegations. The case was sent to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office on Monday. Japanese authorities—not the Marine Corps—have custody while the case proceeds. Okinawa Gov. Genta Koja and Naha Mayor Satoru Chinen have now met with the III Marine Expeditionary Force commander and the U.S. consul general. They demanded tighter discipline, prevention measures and a review of the agreement governing U.S. forces in Japan. U.S. Forces Japan says it has not announced any new liberty-policy changes. The existing policy already bars off-base drinking between 1 and 5 a.m. The criminal allegations remain unproven, but the diplomatic and community consequences are already real. #marines #usmc #japan #update #miltok