The United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has supposedly vowed to cooperate with Japanese authorities investigating allegations that a US Marine murdered a local woman in Okinawa. The high-profile case has provoked widespread public outrage, forced the imposition of a strict military curfew, and triggered mandatory disciplinary training for American troops stationed in the region.

According to a statement released by the US Department of State following a phone call between Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, Washington claims it is fully determined to communicate and assist local investigators. While the top American diplomat expressed condolences over the death of the Japanese national, the incident has once again laid bare the ongoing friction and societal resentment surrounding the massive US military presence in the country.

Devin Jacob Ballard, a service member stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was arrested by local police on suspicion of robbing and murdering 39-year-old Anna Yagi at a hotel in Naha. Local media reports indicate that the victim was choked to death and her wallet stolen. Despite the mounting evidence, Ballard has reportedly denied the allegations against him.

The killing has predictably triggered fierce backlash in Japan, where offenses involving foreign forces have long strained bilateral security alliances and fueled criticism of the permanent US footprint. Japan hosts the largest overseas contingent of US forces globally, with the vast majority of the 18,000 Marines stationed directly on Okinawa. In an attempt to contain the fallout, the US military enforced a month-long curfew and an alcohol ban while subjecting personnel to mandatory standards training.

Source: www.aljazeera.com