# U.S. Air Force Captain Arrested in Okinawa

> A U.S. Air Force captain arrested in Okinawa for alleged drunk driving amid tensions between U.S. and Japan.
- Title: U.S. Air Force Captain Arrested in Okinawa · The Japan Times
- Summary: A U.S. Air Force captain arrested in Okinawa for alleged drunk driving amid tensions between U.S. and Japan. A 27-year-old U.S.
- Keywords: okinawa, u.s.-japan relations, japanese police, u.s. bases, u.s. military, u.s., The Japan Times
- Source: The Japan Times — https://japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/11/14/japan/crime-legal/okinawa-us-captain-arrest
- Author: No Author
- Published: 2026-11-14T09:37:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: okinawa, u.s.-japan relations, japanese police, u.s. bases, u.s. military, u.s., news, politics, world
## Arrest Details
A 27-year-old U.S. Air Force captain was arrested Saturday on suspicion of drunk driving in Okinawa, a police spokesman said.
## Recent Context
The arrest comes just a week after Tokyo and Washington agreed to measures aimed at preventing crimes by U.S. service members on Okinawa after a murder allegedly involving an American marine triggered outrage.
## U.S. Military Presence
The U.S. military has around 54,000 personnel stationed in Japan, mostly on Okinawa. Crimes committed by its members have been a thorn in relations between the close security allies.
## Curfew Measures
U.S. officials also said last week they would extend a curfew to lower-ranking service members through Dec. 7, while banning all service members from drinking alcohol outside their homes between midnight and 5 am.
## Arrest Timing
Police arrested the 27-year-old as he 'was driving on a road in Okinawa City at around 3:09 am Saturday,' a spokesman for Okinawa prefectural police said.
## Base Assignment
The arrested captain was assigned to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, Kyodo News reported.
## Key takeaway

A 27-year-old U.S. Air Force captain was arrested in Okinawa for suspected drunk driving, following recent measures to curb U.S. military crimes on the island.