Bars near U.S. naval bases in Japan expect business to return to normal after an in-town drinking ban for sailors was lifted Tuesday morning.
In a statement, the U.S. Navy said it lifted the ban imposed on June 6 for all personnel, saying alcohol awareness training is complete and off-duty sailors are permitted once more to decompress in bars away from naval bases.
However, a 10 p.m. cut-off time will be in force and individuals of lower rank must be accompanied by a designated drinking buddy, an expansion of a system that earlier applied only to those on temporary assignment to Japan.