The Marine Corps is banning alcohol for 48 hours and imposing a month of liberty restrictions on Marines in Okinawa after a lance corporal was arrested in connection with the death of a local Japanese woman.

The alcohol ban will run from Wednesday through Friday and apply both on and off base. During those 48 hours, the service will also restrict liberty and pause all operations across the island.

Senior leaders will use the operational pause to conduct training on standards and discipline, liberty policies, alcohol awareness, and “our responsibilities as members of the Okinawan community,” according to an Oct. 6 memo from Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson.

Watson, commander of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, outlined the restrictions in the memo, which was confirmed by Task & Purpose. The order puts Marines across Okinawa under immediate limits before a longer curfew begins.

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Starting Friday, the Marine Corps will enter what Watson called a 30 day “Period of Reflection.” During that period, Marines must remain at home, whether they live on or off base, between midnight and 5 a.m.

“Serving on Okinawa comes with responsibility. We live, work, and socialize alongside the people of Okinawa; their home is our home,” Watson wrote.

“Every interaction with our neighbors either builds or undermines the trust that is essential to our team. When that trust is damaged, it affects the strength of our alliance and the security of this region.”

“Accordingly, we will take time to think hard about discipline, standards, and our alliance responsibilities,” Watson continued. The restrictions place those concerns at the center of the service’s response on.

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Image Credit: DoW

The measures follow the arrest of Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard by Japanese authorities on Sunday. Ballard was arrested on suspicion of robbing and murdering Yagi Anna, a Japanese woman in Okinawa.

Ballard, 20, is assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The installation is located in the northeast part of Naha, the capital of Okinawa.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that Anna, 39, was killed by suffocation in a hotel on Saturday. Her wallet and backpack were also stolen, according to the report.

Ballard was arrested the following day after Japanese police said security camera footage showed a man entering the hotel with Anna and later leaving alone. The allegations remain under investigation by Japanese authorities.

Image Credit: DoW

“These allegations are extremely serious, and we will continue to ensure full cooperation with Japanese authorities throughout the investigation,” Watson wrote. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends.”

“Incidents like this demand we pause for reflection,” Watson added. Beyond the alcohol ban and curfew, the Marine Corps is reviewing its liberty policies for personnel stationed on Okinawa.

The service is also preparing recommendations for the local committee responsible for coordinating policies governing U.S. forces on the island. Watson said enhanced supervision will be established at gates across Marine Corps installations in Okinawa.

Image Credit: DoW

“Take care of your teammates. Hold one another accountable,” Watson wrote.

“Live up to the high standards that come with the uniform you wear. That is what I expect — and what our Nation and our Allies rightly expect of us.”

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