A 21-year-old Naval petty officer in Okinawa allegedly hit two cars while she was drunk, injuring two other people. It was the latest in a series of incidents involving US military personnel who have hurt or killed Japanese citizens. On Monday, the US Navy banned all 19,000 Navy personnel from drinking. The ban applies both on-base and off-base. In addition, sailors have been grounded. The can only leave their base to run "necessary errands."
The U.S. military presence in Japan is under scrutiny after a series of incidents involving American soldiers on the islands, with Navy personnel already under curfew in connection with the arrest of a former Marine. He was working as a civilian contractor on a base and was arrested in connection with the death of a Japanese women.
Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga said such measures taken by the Navy to keep an eye on soldiers’ behavior were not strict enough.
"There needs to be a fundamental resolution," Onaga said.
