A group of Japanese citizens rallied outside the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo Monday to express their outrage over crimes committed by U.S. servicemen after a Marine suspected of killing a woman in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa was arrested Sunday.
The 20-year-old suspect, named Devin Ballard, is stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa. He is suspected of killing a 39-year-old local woman and taking her wallet and backpack in the early hours of Saturday at a hotel in Naha, the Kyodo News reported, citing Okinawa prefectural police as saying.
U.S. forces in Japan have a long record of crimes, including rape, murder and robbery. Statistics showed that in 2025 alone, Okinawa police handled more than 100 criminal cases involving U.S. military personnel and related individuals.
"This is absolutely unacceptable. Many Okinawan women have suffered violence in the past. Many people were killed. This incident is truly heartbreaking," said a rally participant.
They also criticized a pact signed between Japan and the United States in 1960 for giving privileged legal status to U.S. servicemen and civilian workers in Japan.
Under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, U.S. military authorities have the primary right to exercise jurisdiction over crimes allegedly committed by U.S. base service members and the civilian component if the accused was acting on "official duty." Many cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan have gone unresolved.
"Under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, Japanese police cannot directly exercise physical control over U.S. military personnel. Therefore, whether conducting a thorough investigation or advancing legal proceedings, it is procedurally very difficult," said a protester.
"It is precisely because of the Japan-U.S. military alliance and the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement that U.S. suspects are hastily dealt with without facing due trial. I think that's a real problem," said another protester. Rally participants said they were disappointed that the Japanese government has not taken substantive measures in response to crimes committed by U.S. forces stationed in Japan.
"I believe the Japanese government should seriously and clearly express its position to the United States. After all, protecting our lives and rights is the Japanese government's responsibility in the first place. So I hope the government will truly fulfill this responsibility," said a third protester.
Japanese protesters voice outrage over robbery-murder by U.S. Marine in Okinawa
China is keen to actively engage in exchanges with other countries and explore cooperation opportunities in its manned space program, Yang Liwei, the program's deputy chief designer and China's first astronaut, said Monday on the opening day of the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Türkiye.
The five-day IAC, the world's largest annual space gathering, is being held in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, drawing space leaders, researchers and industry representatives from across the globe under the theme "The World Needs More Space."
This year's agenda ranges from lunar exploration and satellite systems to artificial intelligence, space security and international cooperation, addressing some of the key priorities facing the industry.
Speaking at a forum on China's manned space program, Yang -- who became the first Chinese astronaut in space during the historic Shenzhou-5 mission in October 2003 -- outlined the latest progress of the Tiangong space station and the country's broader spaceflight efforts, stressing greater international cooperation.
"China's space station will serve as an open platform for space science research, available to scientists worldwide for deeper cooperation in research, astronaut training, flight opportunities, science popularization and education," he said.
Yang also noted that preparations are ongoing for a mission which will see the first ever foreign astronaut visit the Tiangong space station, with two Pakistani candidates now undertaking an intensive training program which will see one being selected for the honor.
"The two Pakistani astronaut candidates have performed exceptionally well throughout their training," said Yang.
Turning to country's manned lunar exploration program, Yang said China is pushing ahead with its goal of sending astronauts to the Moon by 2030. He said the Long March 10 rocket, the Mengzhou spacecraft, which means 'dream vessel', and the Lanyue lunar lander have all passed key tests.
Looking further ahead, Yang said China welcomes participation from all global partners to share science, data and opportunities so as to jointly explore the unknown.
"We will then carry out lunar scientific research and development, and build a lunar research station. To that end, we very much hope to actively engage with other countries and explore cooperation opportunities," he said.
Organized annually by the International Astronautical Federation, the IAC event serves as a scientific conference, trade fair and diplomatic summit, serving as a major platform for exchanges and discussions on the development of the global space sector.
China's manned space program eyes deeper int'l cooperation: official
