48-Hour Operational Pause in Okinawa

Benjaamin T. Watson, Okinawa area coordinator and commnding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, announced a "complete prohibition of alcohol consumption on or off base" starting Wednesday.

U.S. military on Okinawa face curfew, alcohol ban after murder case

Tokyo (AFP) – US forces on Okinawa were on Wednesday barred from drinking alcohol for 48 hours and also face a 30-day curfew after the murder of a woman allegedly committed by an American Marine.

The killing of a Japanese woman has triggered protests against US military bases in Japan © CHRISTOPHER JUE / AFP

The case has triggered outrage in Japan, where any crimes involving US forces have long inflamed criticism of the troops' presence.. . .Watson said that the 48-hour period -- described as "an operational pause" -- would give commanders the time to lead training with all service members on "standards, discipline, and our responsibilities as members of the Okinawan community".