Kadena Air Base, Japan -- U.S. Forces-Japan enacted a new liberty policy update for military personnel in Japan as of Oct. 1, 2024.
This policy aims to safeguard the vital relationship with Japan, bolster operational readiness and meet our obligations under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Additionally, these tenets will promote good order and discipline, and reinforce standards of conduct.
This policy applies to all service members, including Reserve and National Guard, while on temporary duty/temporary duty assignment, deployed, leave or pass status, regardless of branch or region of command.
All service members 19 years of age or below, including those in a TDY/TAD, deployed, leave or pass status in Japan, are subject to a curfew between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. During curfew hours, service members subject to curfew must be:
- on a U.S. military installation;
- in a place of lodging;
- transiting directly between an airport and a U.S. military installation;
- a private off-base residence;
- a place of temporary lodging; or
- in the performance of official duties, to include duty-related travel.
All military personnel, regardless of age, are prohibited from off-installation public consumption of alcohol between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Public consumption of alcohol is any consumption of alcohol off of a military installation, except when in an off-installation residence, quarters, or hotel room.
All service members regardless of age are prohibited from consuming alcohol off-base or being physically present in an off-base drinking establishment between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on all days regardless of leave status or holiday. These establishments may sell food in addition to alcohol, but their primary purpose is serving alcoholic beverages. Some of these establishments are bars, pubs, taverns, nightclubs and izakayas.
According to the policy, Commanders are expected to ensure personnel receive an orientation brief addressing driving standards, weapons restrictions, security conditions, off-limits areas, cultural awareness, and other relevant issues on the given liberty area.
Commanders are also expected to inform service members of their responsibilities under SOFA for all interactions with Japanese law enforcement, and continually evaluate members’ eligibility to enjoy the privilege of the liberty policy, and will adjust or revoke the liberty of individuals who are at risk or violate this policy, DoD and Military policies, or pose harm to the U.S.-Japan relationship.
For the full 2024 Liberty Policy Update Memorandum, click here.
In conjunction with the liberty policy, the 18th Wing has also updated the Commander Pass Guidance Memorandum as of Sept. 16, 2024.
All service members assigned to the 18th Wing, including deployed rotational forces, are eligible to receive an authorized pass for up to 96-hours when traveling within the prefecture of Okinawa, Mainland Japan, Republic of Korea, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Palau, or Vietnam per squadron-level policies.
For all listed countries, members must complete all requirements according to the Foreign Clearance Guide and comply with country specific laws, policies, and guidance. Specifically for travel in Korea, members must complete all requirements according to the Foreign Clearance Guide and comply with ROK/United States Forces Korea laws, policies, and guidance.
The United States military forces continue to play a critical role in shaping the reputation and image of the U.S. throughout the world. Disciplinary issues or misbehavior by U.S. service members adversely impacts international relations, tarnish the image of the U.S. military, and affect our military readiness.
For the full Commander Pass Guidance Memorandum, click here.