US Marine accused of drunken driving after fatal crash in Japan

A United States Marine has been accused of drunken driving after he was allegedly involved in a car crash in Naha, Japan, that left a Japanese man dead.

Reuters on Monday reported that a Naha police official said the Marine left the crash with scratches and that a breathalyzer test found that his blood alcohol content was three times above the legal limit.

{mosads}The 21-year-old Marine was arrested.

Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, said the country’s defense and foreign ministries have asked the United States Embassy for a response.

“The Defence and Foreign ministries have lodged a stern representation to the U.S. forces in Japan and the U.S. embassy in Japan, asking for the enforcement of discipline, prevention of recurrence and sincere response to the bereaved,” said Suga, according to Reuters.

The United States Forces, Japan prohibited its personnel from consuming or buying alcohol after the accident. 

“When our service members fail to live up to the high standards we set for them, it damages the bonds between bases and local communities and make it harder for us to accomplish our mission,” U.S. Forces, Japan said in a statement.

“We are committed to being good neighbors with our host communities and we are thankful for the support we receive from them every day.”