Rubio Pledges Cooperation in Okinawa Murder Probe

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. In an Oct 10 State Department readout, Rubio expressed sincere condolences over the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa and the United States' determination to communicate and fully cooperate with Japan and local authorities in the investigation. Marine Devin Jacob Ballard, based at Futenma, was arrested Oct 4 on suspicion of robbing and murdering Anna Yagi, 39, in a Naha hotel. He has denied the allegations. Local media said she was choked and her wallet stolen. A 30-day curfew on US personnel in Okinawa began Oct 9 from midnight to 5am, with discipline training ordered; some reports also bar alcohol. The two also discussed US ICC sanctions and a G20 foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta from Oct 30. CONTESTED: Reuters and Al Jazeera cite most of 18,000 Japan-based Marines on Okinawa as the largest overseas US contingent; AFP and Straits Times put about 54,000 total US troops in Japan, mostly on Okinawa. The Japanese probe continues with pledged US cooperation.