Japanese rally to condemn murder of woman by US Marine in Okinawa

A group of Japanese citizens rallied outside the U.S. Embassy in Japan on Wednesday to voice their outrage after a Marine suspected of killing a woman in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa was arrested Sunday.

The 20-year-old suspect, 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.

U.S. forces stationed in Japan have a long record of committing 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.

"It is not just Okinawa; there are U.S. military bases in other parts of Japan as well. Similar incidents of violence have also been occurring continuously," said one of the protesters.

"It is truly intolerable. This situation, where crimes occur again and again, must come to an end. Although the Japanese government talks about taking measures to deal with the matter sternly and finding solutions for the future, the U.S. military stationed in Japan has shown absolutely no change," said another protester.

Protesters said that while incidents involving U.S. forces stationed in Japan have long caused anxiety and danger within Japanese society, the Japanese government is still pushing ahead with the construction of a new base in Henoko.

"For me, the Japanese government's attitude is far more than just infuriating. The Takaichi administration is not only forcibly pushing ahead with the construction of a base that the people of Okinawa have consistently opposed, but is also deploying U.S. military weaponry across the region -- effectively attempting to turn Okinawa into a battlefield once again. Yet, with brazen hypocrisy, they speak of 'deep regret' and vow to 'handle the matter seriously.' I have to ask: what right do they have to say such things? Ultimately, it is nothing but a complete and utter deception," said a protester.

"I am truly wondering who exactly is the Japanese government protecting? They always claim that the U.S. military is a necessity to protect Japan, but in reality, the people in Japan are not being protected," said another protester.

Japanese rally to condemn murder of woman by US Marine in Okinawa

A brigade of the 75th Group Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted a live-fire drill in desert recently to sharpen the real combat capability of soldiers.

During the drill, air-defense units quickly maneuvered to the designated battle area, while a dense swarm of simulated enemy drones were flying at ultra-low altitudes to attack the position.

Assessing the situation, the commander decisively ordered anti-drone units to launch electro-optical and communications jamming and concentrate fire on the enemy aircraft, successfully destroying the targets.

As soon as the first round of counterattacks ended, the commander ordered a relocation as the position had been exposed. Officers and soldiers quickly packed up their equipment, maneuvered to a new site, and rapidly completed deployment, firepower reorganization, and camouflage to restore air defense capabilities.

At the same time, the radar network was activated and put into operation, establishing a reconnaissance and early-warning network with full-area coverage and real-time tracking.

The live-fire drill continued from daytime well into the night. The soldiers dealt with a lot of emergencies while enduring great physical and mental pressure to improve their skills and emergency handling capacities. "This exercise was conducted under different battlefield conditions day and night. We carried out a continuous series of combat-oriented drills, including responses to multiple types of air threats, tactical maneuvers, and the handling of special situations. The troops were honed in unfamiliar and complex desert conditions to steadily enhance their capabilities for quick response, maneuverable combat, and continuous combat readiness," said He Qing, a service member of the brigade.

Chinese army conducts live-fire drill to enhance combat capabilities