New USFJ Liberty Policy for all U.S. Military Personnel in Japan

  • Published
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  U.S. Forces, Japan announced a new liberty policy that is effective immediately for military personnel stationed, on temporary duty or on leave in Japan:

1. Before any military member is granted liberty off-installation, members must have completed their service-specific Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Training as well as Japan Cultural Orientation Training with added emphasis on service core values within the past 12 months.

2. For all military personnel, off-installation public consumption of alcohol is prohibited between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. daily.

3. E-1s to E-5s must be accompanied by a "liberty buddy" between 7 p.m. and midnight and are subject to a curfew between midnight and 5 a.m., during which they must either be on a U.S. military installation, off the installation in a private residence, in lodging room, or in the performance of official duties.

- A liberty buddy must be:
-- An active-duty military member
-- A person on SOFA status
-- An adult family member
-- An individual approved by an authorized commander

4. Two additional policies apply to service members in Okinawa:

a. Military personnel are restricted from off-installation liberty when under the influence of alcohol, which is defined as having a Blood Alcohol Content of .03% or greater.

b. Military personnel are restricted from off-installation purchase or consumption of alcohol, except when authorized by a general or flag officer for designated official events, or if the individual is in their own residence or authorized lodging.

The policy applies to all commands throughout Japan, and all service members, including TDY/TAD personnel and those on leave in country, are subject to it. Commanders do retain the latitude to put in place additional provisions to meet mission requirements. Military members are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) for violations.

For more information, contact unit commanders or first sergeants.