Japan air base imposes junior enlisted alcohol ban, curfew after local murder

American junior enlisted personnel at a U.S. air base in Japan are banned from consuming alcohol and must adhere to a curfew following the recent arrest of a U.S. Marine for allegedly robbing and murdering a local woman. Kadena Air Base on Okinawa implemented the new restrictions for all personnel in grades E-1 to E-4 beginning late last week, according to a memo signed by 18th Wing Commander Brig. Gen. John Gallemore. “The 18th Wing continually assesses measures to reinforce good order and discipline and maintain positive relationships with our host community,” a base spokesperson told Military Times. In early October, Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force headquartered at Camp Courtney on Okinawa, was arrested under suspicion of killing Anna Yagi, a 39-year-old Naha resident, at a hotel in the city. The police report stated that he also stole her wallet, among other belongings. The murder and subsequent arrest reawakened concerns over the large American troop presence on the island, with the Japanese government lodging what Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described as a “strong protest” against the U.S. while demanding full cooperation with local authorities in the investigation. Shortly after Ballard’s arrest, U.S. officials directed all military personnel on Okinawa to cease operations for 48 hours to allow leaders to conduct standards training. Commanders and senior enlisted leaders trained all service members on standards, discipline and troops’ responsibilities as members of the local community. After the training period, personnel transitioned to a 30-day Period of Reflection, during which there are restrictions on liberty to remind personnel it is a responsibility and privilege to maintain. The new restrictions for Kadena junior enlisted personnel are in effect through the rest of the Period of Reflection, which will end on Nov. 8, the memo reads. “As part of the ongoing 30-day period of reflection on Okinawa, Japan, Brig. Gen. John B. Gallemore, 18th Wing commander, determined that additional preventive measures were appropriate to reinforce expectations for responsible conduct among service members,” the base spokesperson said. The undated memo first circulated on social media on the unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page. A base spokesperson would not confirm or deny the authenticity of the memo to Military Times. Alongside the alcohol consumption ban, off-base liberty is restricted from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for junior enlisted airmen. Possession of alcohol is forbidden in dormitories and common areas within the base, per the memo, and commanders at all levels are authorized to conduct unannounced Health and Welfare inspections of dorms assigned to personnel to ensure compliance. “These inspections must be administrative in nature and conducted uniformly across the unit or randomly based on objective criteria,” the memo states. “This policy does not authorize warrantless, targeted criminal searches of specific individuals without probable cause and properly executed command search authorization.” Some establishments on Okinawa have been found serving alcohol to military personnel during curfew hours and allowing them to stay past the curfew, in violation of the 30-day Period of Reflection order, according to a Kadena Emergency Off-Limits Order. The order, issued last week, declared a bar in Okinawa off-limits to all Kadena personnel. The mandate is temporary and is slated to be discussed at the next meeting of the Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board to decide when the ban will cease. “Military members who continue to patronize establishments past curfew hours often engage in high-risk behavior due to overconsumption of alcohol, leading to physical altercations, hospitalizations, and incidents arising from driving under the influence of alcohol,” the order reads. “The demonstration of this establishment to allow members to openly violate the 30-Day Period of Reflection endangers the already strained relationship between the people of Okinawa and U.S. military personnel.”