After recent scandals, U.S. Navy orders all 18,600 sailors in Japan to stop drinking

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson atones for civilian murder of 20-year-old Japanese woman in Okinawa
(Image credit: Jiji Press/AFP/Getty Images)

On Monday, the U.S. Navy ordered all 18,600 sailors stationed in Japan to remain on base and refrain from drinking alcohol, following an alleged drunk driving incident on Saturday. That incident, in which Okinawa police say U.S. Petty Officer 2nd Class Aimee Mejia hit two cars and injured two people while driving on the wrong side of the road, is the latest in a string of events that have strained relations between the U.S. military and Japanese communities. It occurred during a 30-day period of mourning the Navy was observing in Okinawa after a civilian contractor was charged with killing a 20-year-old Japanese woman and dumping her body on the side of the road. A U.S. sailor also pleaded guilty to raping a Japanese tourist at an Okinawa hotel in March.

The Japan-wide restrictions will be enforced until "all personnel understand the impact of responsible behavior on the U.S.-Japan alliance," Rear Admiral Matthew Carter said in a statement. "For decades we have enjoyed a strong relationship with the people of Japan. It is imperative that each sailor understand how our actions affect that relationship and the U.S. Japan alliance as a whole." The Navy can't enforce the drinking ban or travel restrictions on off-duty civilian contractors or family members of U.S. sailors, but commanders will encourage the civilians to comply, anyway.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.