“Everyone is Angry” on RyuKyu Islands; Naha, Okinawa and JapanMARINE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANNA YAGI’S DEATH
Momii Palapaz
“I just can’t accept this anymore. As a woman, I absolutely cannot tolerate it. How many more women in Okinawa (RYUKYU ISLAND) have to suffer like this? We’re all angry. Everyone is angry. I have a daughter too and it's terrifying” said an elder on the streets of Naha, the capital.
39 year old Anna Yagi was robbed and strangled to death by Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, a Marine stationed at Okinawa military base October 3rd, 2026. The latest murder has reignited protests toward the US military bases. Last year over 100 criminal cases were made. One soldier got 7 years for the sexual assault of a woman. In 2024, 4 sexual assaults were reported, including an underage girl who was kidnapped and raped. An airforce soldier got only 5 years. And in 1995, thousands took to the streets protesting the beating and rape of a 12 year old girl.
Protests in Okinawa and Tokyo, Reuters Tokyo- Give up the New Base at Henoko!, Momii
Back in the 70’s, I participated in political theatre bringing the issue of colonized Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa) to the Japanese American community. In J-Town, SF, during festivals, we performed historical facts depicting the slaughter of the Ryukyuan people in WWII, thousands unhoused, moving to caves, hiding out from both the Japanese and US imperialists. The heightened violence was during the period of US invasion and bombing of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Ryukyu Islands once again experienced death and destruction as soldiers stationed here saturated the island, disrupting communities and taking advantage of the women and children. All with the installation and support from the US government.
Ryukyu Islands was renamed Okinawa by the US after Japan was defeated in WWII. From 1945 to present, the US military has inhabited the land of Ryukyu natives. In warring with Japan over real estate, Japan and the US terrorized the people, forced women to sexual slavery, slaughtered, and displaced over 250,000 men, women and children. Women and children were kidnaped or sold into forced sexual service to Japan as “Comfort Women”. After WWII, the US government continued the sex trafficking services from South Korea, to Japan to the Philippines.
Today, over 70,000 soldiers and personnel are taking up to 18% of land and ocean in the Pacific area. A variety of sources say less than 1% of land is taken up by the US in Ryukyu, but that tiny island is hosting thousands of military personnel and using 70% of the land mass. Previous attempts by the US to grab land in the town of Henoko have changed after years of community protest. An attempt at expansion is underway in Futenma, Okinawa, which is also meeting angry locals, protesting the expansion and the history of crimes related to the military.
Another local resident of Naha, Okinawa said, “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 US military weapons across the region directly attempting to turn Okinawa into a battlefield once again. Yet with brazen hypocrisy they speak of regret and vow to handle the matters…”
Everyday, the anger and frustration continues to boil over against the presence of the US military. Here at home we are facing the same dangers inside this beast. Women and supporters from the “ I am Jane Doe” and the “Me Too” movements have cried out for attention to the widespread sexual assaults and murders, but nothing has resulted in any qualitative changes. Instead, from Japan’s ocean border to turtle island, survivors are getting called out and blamed.
Even in the movement of progressives, sexual crimes are normalized. Rest in Peace Dolores Huerta. She sacrificed her own life, with humility for the sake of fellow farmworkers. She knew this system well enough to know the fallout at the expense of the UFW. These are crimes against the people in a system worldwide that oppresses and divides us. Victims of sexual assault are the targets of bullying and dismissal, jokes and intimidation, threats and outing here and abroad.
In Naha, Okinawa, protesters were at Tokyo’s Shinjuku station and the US Embassy holding up signs condemning rape, murder and assaults. A sign said “We will not tolerate violent crimes and sexual violence committed by US troops”. One speaker said “We don’t want any bases in Okinawa”.
Frustration towards the US military continues to rise as a soldier was caught drunk driving during the curfew November 1, 2026. The curfew was established after the murder of Anna Yagi.
Solidarity with the RyuKyu People, US out of Okinawa
Bbc, wikipedia, Japan times, Youtube, Facebook
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