TOKYO, June 6 (Reuters) – The U.S. Navy slapped a consuming ban on sailors stationed in Japan on Monday and halted off base liberty after police arrested a U.S. sailor on the southern island of Okinawa on suspicion of drunk driving following a automobile crash that injured two folks.

“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,” Rear Admiral Matthew Carter, commander of U.S. naval forces in Japan mentioned in a press launch on Monday.

The United States has 18,600 sailors stationed in Japan.

The newest incident got here because the U.S. army observes a 30-day mourning interval at bases on Okinawa after an American civilian working for the U.S. army there was arrested on suspicion of dumping the physique of a 20-year-old Japanese lady.

Renewed anger amongst residents in Okinawa on the U.S. army presence threatens a plan to relocate the U.S. Marines’ Futenma air base to a much less populous a part of Okinawa, which was agreed in 1995 after the rape of a Japanese schoolgirl by U.S. army personnel sparked enormous anti-base demonstrations.

Okinawa’s governor and plenty of residents need the marines off the island.

All U.S. Navy sailors in Japan shall be stored on base and banned from consuming till “all personnel understand the impact of responsible behavior on the U.S.-Japan alliance,” the press launch mentioned. “Sailors living off base will be allowed to travel to and from base and conduct only “essential activities.”

The restrictions don’t apply to relations and civilian U.S. contractors, which brings the entire variety of folks to 35,000, however they’re being inspired to watch the foundations “in a spirit of solidarity,” a spokesman for the U.S. Navy mentioned.

(Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

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