Story highlights Sailors will be permitted to drink on base and in their housing, but not off base

Navy imposed bans after string of incidents that strained relations with locals

(CNN) The U.S. Navy has partially relaxed its alcohol ban on American sailors in Japan, 11 days after instituting the rules.

Sailors are now allowed to drink alcohol when they're on base or in their own personal housing, but they are not to drink off-base, the Navy announced on Thursday

Earlier this month, the U.S. Navy imposed temporary restrictions on drinking and traveling off-base after several recent alcohol-related incidents, which the Navy's 7th Fleet said were harming U.S.-Japan relations.

A string of incidents in Okinawa had drawn protests from local residents. Earlier this month, a U.S. Navy petty officer was accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving on the wrong side of the road, hitting two cars and injuring two people, according to reports in Stars and Stripes and the Japan Times

In March, a U.S. sailor on Okinawa was arrested on suspicion of rape. In May, a civilian contractor at a U.S. base in Okinawa was arrested in connection with the death of a 20-year-old woman.

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