The U.S. Navy on Monday banned its sailors on the Japanese island of Okinawa from drinking alcohol, both on and off base, and placed tight restrictions on their movement after a sailor was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.
Advertisement
An incident in which an American sailor allegedly drove drunk in the wrong direction on a freeway on Saturday represents the latest chapter in the story of a growing rift between the U.S. Military and residents of Okinawa, Japan, many of whom want to see an end to the robust American presence that has been in place there since the end of World War II.
On Saturday, Petty Officer 2nd Class Aimee Mejia, who is assigned to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, was arrested after allegedly driving a vehicle on the wrong side of the road, hitting two cars and injuring two people.
All U.S. Navy sailors in Japan will be kept on base and banned from drinking until ‘all personnel understand the impact of responsible behavior on the U.S. -Japan alliance, ‘ the press release said. “It is imperative that each sailor understand how our actions affect that relationship and the US Japan alliance as a whole”, Carter said.
The US Navy has imposed a total ban on alcohol for all sailors in Japan.
Last month, a 32-year-old US base worker allegedly involved in the death of a local woman was arrested.
These types of incidents have always been a problem for the US military in Japan. “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to them and their families”, the spokesman said.
Sunday’s arrest is expected to rekindle anger among Okinawans, who plan a major rally this month to protest against the military bases as well as the behaviour of personnel.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, who is now visiting Singapore, told reporters that the latest incident, coming despite the measures to tighten discipline among US military personnel in Okinawa, is “extremely regrettable”.
About 18,600 USA sailors are stationed in Japan. Locals and politicians have insisted Americans leave the island. The U.S. Embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
On Sunday, Okinawa voters elected a solid majority of anti-base candidates to the prefectural legislature.
The deployment of tens of thousands of USA troops in Japan is part of the arrangements aimed to maintain the post-World War II worldwide order.
He represents Okinawans’ desire to see the us military presence decreased on Okinawa.
Since taking effect in 1960, the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement stipulates that Japanese prosecutors couldn’t file a suit against U.S. personnel suspected of committing crimes at duty.
Ron Flanders said, according to Stars and Stripes.
Dolan said the USA military had “zero tolerance for driving under the influence” and that any military member convicted of doing so “faces severe consequences”.
Kishida demanded that the USA enforce measures to prevent such incidents from happening and to punish any service personnel found to have caused accidents.
The defense minister’s remarks come just a day after his United States counterpart, Defense Secretary Ash Carter, agreed with Nakatani that further measures will need to be implemented in future to prevent repeated instances of rape and murder by American service personnel.
Advertisement
The incidents are certain to complicate attempts by Tokyo and Washington to push ahead with the controversial relocation of the Futenma Marine base from a crowded city on Okinawa to a less populated neighbourhood in the town of Henoko.
