April 6, 2022

Arrests of U.S. soldiers on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol have frequently occurred in Okinawa.

According to the Okinawa prefectural government, a U.S. marine in Naha City and one more in Urazoe City were arrested for drunk driving followed by the arrest of a U.S. airman driving under the influence in Naha City on April 3. On March 30, another U.S. marine was arrested on the same charge in Kin Town.

The prefectural authorities said that it demanded the Defense Ministry's Okinawa Defense Bureau, the U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa, and the U.S. Air Force 18th Wing in Okinawa for stricter disciplinary action.