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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs saySpeed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign portSpeed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'Speed Read
