SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — The off-limits order for the Tenjin District of Fukuoka, which base commander Capt. Michael James issued in early April and later extended, has been lifted effective Tuesday.
James issued the order April 7 after an attack the previous weekend on several Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station servicemembers by 20 Japanese men wielding baseball bats and metal pipes.
The order, making the Tenjin District off limits from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m., applied to all those on Kyushu Island falling under the U.S.-Japanese status of forces agreement.
Tenjin is a sprawling shopping and entertainment district in Fukuoka, a city of 2.5 million on the island’s west coast. Iwakuni and Sasebo personnel enjoy its nightlife and shopping.
The Sasebo order initially was to last 30 days, then was extended. “The 30-day extension of the off-limits … will not be extended,” Charles T. Howard, base spokesman, said late Monday.
Sasebo Naval Base officials are “very pleased with the level of cooperation we have had with Fukuoka police in dealing with this issue,” Howard added, “particularly the opportunity to have security department representatives located at key police buildings in the Tenjin area.”
The off-limits order at Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station is more narrow, applying only to personnel associated with the installation.
Base commander Col. David Darrah’s order still is being enforced, a base spokesman said Friday evening. The order says the restriction would be lifted only upon “further review” after the attack investigation is complete.
“The off-limits order here in Iwakuni is still in effect,” said spokesman Capt. Stewart Upton. He said he had no further information on the investigation’s progress or details beyond that “we are cooperating fully with local authorities in the investigation, and it is continuing.”
Officials identified the attacked servicemembers as Sgt. Dave Lopez, 24; Sgt. Darryle Hutchens, 22; Sgt. Alfonso Gonzales, 22; Sgt. Carlos Moreiradelacruz, 22; Lance Cpl. Jose Gonzalez Jr., 20, and Pfc. Anthony Kiefer, 21, all assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron; and Lance Cpl. Jorge Rios, 22, assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.
At least three of the seven were injured during the April 4 incident, which erupted at 3:45 a.m. A Fukuoka police official said of the two seeking treatment at Saiseikai Fukuoka General Hospital immediately after, one was hospitalized and later released.
“Despite not extending the off-limits, we still advise base personnel to be aware of their surroundings at all times,” Howard said. “They should avoid dark or suspicious areas and remain cautious in and around areas where problems or situations have occurred in the past.”
Officials at both installations said no violations of the orders have been reported.
