// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
'Not again': Arrest of US marine for murder reignites protests in Japan's Okinawa
For many Okinawa locals, the arrest of a US soldier accused of robbing and killing a woman in a hotel room has reignited decades of frustration over crimes involving US military personnel there.
"Honestly my first reaction was, 'Not again,'" 52-year-old longtime Okinawa resident Ai Sato told the BBC.
"Nothing has changed since I was a child. How many times are we going to repeat the same thing, create more victims, cause their families to suffer, and ultimately, cause the people of Okinawa to grieve?"
Akemi Oshiro, a 62-year-old Ginowan resident shared similar sentiments.
"I know we shouldn't get used to terrible things like this, but because they keep happening, I've stopped being surprised," she told the BBC.
Okinawa hosts the largest US military presence in Japan. It is home to several US military bases and tens of thousands of American troops.
US Marine Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, was arrested by Japanese police on Sunday. Police say an investigation is underway and that Ballard is in Japanese custody because the alleged crime was unrelated to official military duties.
Whether a US service member is acting in the performance of official duty, external or not can determine which country has primary jurisdiction. When Japan has jurisdiction, but the suspect is under US custody, they can retain custody until Japan brings charges.
Some locals gathered to protest against the robbery-murder case on Sunday
Ballard was assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force and stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan City.