U.S. military bans troops in Japan from drinking alcohol after fatal Okinawa accident

Jane Onyanga-Omara | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption U.S. military bans troops in Japan from drinking alcohol US Soldiers in Japan have been banned from drinking, with their movements restricted after a Marine was arrested over a car crash which killed a local.

The U.S. military has imposed an alcohol ban on all its troops in Japan after a U.S. Marine was involved in a fatal accident on the southern island of Okinawa that is suspected to have involved alcohol.

The military also said its forces on Okinawa — home to about half the 50,000 American troops based in Japan — must stay on base or at home.

Service members on Okinawa are banned from drinking in homes and in public places including bars, clubs, and hotels "until further notice." Troops on mainland Japan are prohibited from buying or drinking alcohol on or off base.

“The new restrictions follow an accident Sunday morning in Naha in which a Okinawan man was killed when his vehicle was struck by a truck being driven by a U.S. service member. Alcohol may have been a factor,” U.S. Forces, Japan said in a statement.

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The 21-year-old Marine has been named locally as Nicholas James McLean and the other driver has been identified as Hidemasa Taira, 61, The Washington Post reported. The fatal crash occurred in the city of Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture.

Japan’s Kyodo News agency reported that the Marine’s military truck ran a red light and struck Taira’s minivan. McLean suffered scratches, a police official told Reuters.

The Marine was arrested for the crash and for driving under the influence of alcohol and a breath test showed he was up to three times over the legal limit for alcohol, Reuters reported.

The crash is likely to renew resentment over the U.S. military’s presence on Okinawa. Last year, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe protested to then-President Barack Obama after a Japanese woman was allegedly murdered by a U.S. military contractor on Okinawa. Obama conveyed "his sincerest condolences and deepest regrets.”

Former Marine Kenneth Franklin Shinzato, 33, who was working at the U.S. Air Force's Kadena Air Base, admitted raping and assaulting Rina Shimabukuro, 20, as his trial began last week, but denied murdering her, according to media reports.

“The Defense and Foreign Ministries have lodged a stern representation to the U.S. forces in Japan and the U.S. embassy in Japan, asking for the enforcement of discipline, prevention of recurrence and sincere response to the bereaved,” Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference on Monday.

Suga said William Hagerty, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, has apologized and expressed his condolences.

“Commanders across Japan will immediately lead mandatory training to address responsible alcohol use, risk management and acceptable behavior. All military members and U.S. government civilians in Japan are required to attend,” U.S. Forces, Japan said in a statement.

In June 2016, the U.S. Navy in Japan eased an alcohol ban that was imposed after an American sailor was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving on Okinawa.