Posted on 06/06/2016 2:47:09 PM PDT by BBell
U.S. Navy sailors in Japan can say goodbye to their sake.
Following an alleged drunk driving incident by a 21-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class Aimee Mejia, the Navy announced Monday that drinking alcohol would be banned for all 19,000 personnel in Japan.
Imbibing will be banned both on and off base, and sailors will no longer be able to freely leave their bases. Leaving base grounds will be allowed only for running necessary errands, or commuting from an off-base home.
"These measures are not taken lightly," said Rear Adm. Matthew Carter. "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."
Mejia’s vehicle allegedly crossed the center line on a freeway on the island of Okinawa before striking two other vehicles. She was not injured in the crash, but two people in the other cars were.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...
When I was a grunt on Okinawa in the 80's the Marines went out of their way to make it as difficult as possible for us to leave the base. In the 90's I was a civilian dependent so I enjoyed myself.
This measure is not really aimed at punishing sailors, although it does that. What it is aimed at is calming increasingly restive Japanese political and civilian anger regarding the incidents in question.
It’s draconian, but as I mentioned in an earlier thread, far less so than appears at first notice. The restrictions target USN personnel — it does NOT target USMC, Air Force, or Army. The USS Reagan battle group is already at sea, which means that most of the uniformed Navy enlisted types and junior officers are unaffected.
The measure is being widely reported in the Japanese press, the briefings will be held, sailors will be admonished to be careful, but it will all be relaxed before the 15th. Too many local businesses depend on military clientele and would suffer if the restriction stayed in place past payday.
What Gives?? I don’t remember any BANS on ALcohol after Ted Kennedy Killed his Mistress while Drunk, or while 2 DRUNK Secret Service Agents caused a Lock Down recently???
Why do we have military in Japan?
Does Japan pay us?
Bet this place takes a hit... is a tiny little the hole in the wall on a third floor in Tokyo and I had a blast there
http://www.geronimoshotbar.com/
That’s pretty rough. I do recall being wanded at the gate coming and going for quite some time. If it were a Japanese driving, he/she would lose that license for life.
And on top of a belly full of good sushi.
My last meal request.
I’m with the Japanese on this. American service people are there as representatives of the U.S. government. If they can’t behave themselves, Japan has full right to insist that they no be allowed to drink off base and have their rights restricted.
Just because some minority chick couldn’t hold her liquor?
Dam you think they would be a little nicer to us after Obama apologized and all
Ah, Cinderella Liberty. The good old days....was when they did away with liberty cards under orders of Adm Zumwalt.
It’s off AND on base.
Years of being occupied by foreign forces can have an effect on the locals.. some memories die harder than others.
I was stationed there early 70s,, not sure how well a booze ban would have gone over back then.. it was a different time, I reckun..
Not one Yen.
Japan has a history of defending themselves; if they don't start paying I suggest they start training as Samurai again.
We really shouldn’t outside a a few navy bases and airports we can use jointly. We should let the JSDF grow and take over with a 50 year use agreement at 50÷ capacity for USA as needed.
I remember in Korea (1991), the base commander decreed that beer prices would be doubled from $1 a bottle to $2. His logic: most soldiers spent all of their money on booze, so this way they’d get less drunk, less often.
Admittedly, Saturday nights were a mess, and surely the Norks know that the time to invade is Saturday night.
What I found odd was that this decree was for beer sold off base...and it was obeyed by the Korean vendors.
I guess it’s impractical to do breathalyzer tests on exit from the base.
Some idiot could still get soused though, once out. I have a buddy who is a Marine who told me a nightmare story about an acid trip, off base.
Japan pays for all the expenses of having troops in Japan. Cost of living adjustments, housing allowances, fuel for vehicles and aircraft, and they do a pretty decent job of maintaining the bases.
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