YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) – Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) have updated liberty guidance for all Sailors in Japan.
Effective today, off-duty Sailors are permitted to consume alcohol at authorized off-base establishments until 2400. Consumption is prohibited between the hours of 2400 and 0500. This change restores responsible off-base alcohol consumption for Sailors in accordance with the U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) Liberty Policy. There is no hours restriction for drinking in personal residences. Sailors stationed in Okinawa will follow the liberty and alcohol provisions set forth by the Okinawa Area Coordinator. Liberty buddies will continue to be a requirement for all personnel E-5 and below who intend to consume alcohol, either on or off base.
A joint message released from C7F and CNFJ notified Sailors of the change. In the message, C7F and CNFJ authorized subordinate commands to implement other liberty control measures as required, at their discretion.
"Commanders and commanding officers may take any action they deem necessary to maintain mission readiness,” said Rear Adm. Matthew Carter, CNFJ. “We expect individual commanding officers to aggressively and proactively identify Sailors who lack the maturity to go on liberty and address problems before they occur.”
Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, C7F, added that he was pleased that the entire Navy team had worked hard over the last month to improve awareness and ambassadorship. “I’m proud of the work that our Sailors, civilian workforce, contractors and dependents have done and continue to do, as we work with our Japanese neighbors to carry out our mission in the Pacific,” he said.