The U.S. military in Japan announced Wednesday it will relax its nighttime curfew on New Year's Eve by two hours, and allow military personnel to stay off base until 1 a.m.
The 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew imposed on all military personnel in Japan will be relaxed that day "in order to allow military members and families to enjoy the arrival of the new year with their Japanese hosts," it said.
However, drinking alcohol outside their homes or hotels is prohibited after 12:30 a.m.
For all the marines in Japan as well as all U.S. military personnel stationed in Okinawa, a total ban on drinking off base will be applied even on New Year's Eve. Official events designated by the commander will be the only occasion where they can drink off base.
In October, the U.S. military imposed a curfew on around 40,000 service personnel in Japan after two U.S. sailors allegedly raped a woman in Okinawa.