Japan will tighten rules for drinking by airplane staff, following the arrest in London of a Japan Airlines Co. co-pilot for failing a breath test shortly before a flight and recent alcohol problems in the aviation industry, Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Keiichi Ishii said Friday.
"We will use all possible means to ensure flight safety," Ishii told reporters, adding that the government will study standards enforced by other countries in implementing stricter rules for the industry.
Under the current Japanese system, crew members are prohibited from drinking within eight hours of starting work but there is no law or regulation that sets a legal limit for alcohol consumption.