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JoeKing · Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 519

(CNN)All U.S. Navy sailors in Japan are banned from drinking alcohol and restricted to base except for essential trips after several recent alcohol-related incidents which the Navy's 7th Fleet said are harming U.S.-Japan relations.

"Effective immediately, sailors are prohibited from drinking alcohol, on and off base. Additionally, all off-base liberty will be curtailed," a statement from the 7th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Japan said Monday.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/06/politics/us-navy-alcohol-ban-japan/index.html

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

izmigari · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 2:17 am Post subject: Re: U.S. Navy bans booze in Japan

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

The government tried to get soldiers moved to Iwakuni but the people there complained. So they stay in Okinawa.
The bases are just an outpost for the American empire.

In Okinawa before about 50% of people wanted the Americans there.
If the protests keep up, who knows?

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

izmigari · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 4:39 am Post subject:

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

The media reports this order is indefinite and applies to both those in the military service and off base civilian personnel. I checked today, and there's no word on lifting the ban yet.

Anybody got info on this that's more current?

Lamarr · Joined: 27 Sep 2010 Posts: 190

I've read a bit about this issue. The US presence has allowed Japan to maintain the peace constitution for decades. If the US forces are whittled down, Japan would have to further accelerate towards normalizing its military, which would bring about a strong reaction from the Chinese and Koreans.

I think the US would prefer Japan to be responsible for its own security, while acting as a US proxy in the region. The zone from Korea, down through the East China Sea to Taiwan, is still a volatile one, with Russia and China on one side, and the US with Japan under its wing on the other.

Things may change if everyone's favourite presidential candidate Donald Trump gets elected.

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

milkman · Joined: 12 Jul 2013 Posts: 29

People love to say they hate the military but Okinawa is so dependent on it for the economy, giving tons of jobs related to the base and having a lot of local businesses enjoy the customers as well. If they left, it'll just be like the Philippines or Puerto Rico, where the locals complained so much and had such grand visions for what the land could be used for. After the military left the economy went into the toilet, the land was never used for anything of value, and now the Philippines even wants to use the land for their own military now, costing them far more than the American protection did. Okinawa would quickly become one of the poorest regions of Japan and would only survive on tourism, which isn't as sustainable.

Morons, sure there are a few bad servicemen but statistically it's barely a problem compared to overall crime. With China slowly flexing its muscles and arguments over the islands, the Americans are probably the best deterrence they have. They should have the protesters sign a contract that if the Americans leave and China starts some sort armed conflict, both them and their family members must be drafted to fight. Wonder how many people would be so against the bases after that.