Japan, US review military liberty policies after Okinawa killing

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced on Tuesday that Japan and the United States are reviewing the military liberty policies for US troops in Japan following an alleged killing of an Okinawan woman by a US marine. The review will include examining the off-base code of conduct and other matters related to US military personnel's off-duty activities.

Motegi stated that the discussions would explore whether the existing rules are effectively functioning and whether additional measures are needed. The policy, updated in 2024 following a string of sexual assaults by US military personnel in Okinawa, includes a ban on drinking in public off base between 1 am and 5 am and restrictions on visiting bars during those hours.

Japanese police arrested a US marine last week on suspicion of killing the 39-year-old woman at a hotel in Naha, prompting a two-day operational pause by the US military to reinforce discipline and standards. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government would continue to take all necessary measures to address the case and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Motegi held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expressed condolences and pledged US cooperation in the investigation. The presence of around 54,000 US military personnel in Japan, mostly on Okinawa, has long been a source of tension between the close security allies, with crimes committed by US personnel triggering protests on the southern Japanese island.