US troops in Japan banned from drinking after fatal crash

TOKYO (AP) - U.S. military personnel in Okinawa have been restricted to base and banned from drinking alcohol after a Marine was arrested over a crash that killed a Japanese man.

Media reports say police on the southern Japanese island arrested the 21-year-old Marine on suspicion of negligent driving resulting in injury or death and driving under the influence of alcohol. Kazuhiko Miyagi of the Okinawa police confirmed media reports that a breath test indicated the Marine had an alcohol level that was three times the legal limit.

Japanese media cited witnesses as saying the 61-year-old Japanese driver had the right of way when the crash occurred and the Marine may have driven through a red light.

Buying and drinking alcohol was banned for U.S. military personnel all over Japan.