YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Some patrons at the Yokota Enlisted Club on Friday night branded the new “Bar Row” restriction as too harsh on the majority of personnel who don’t misbehave when they head outside the gates.
“They’re punishing the many for the actions of a few,” said Tech. Sgt. Scott Killoran of the 36th Airlift Squadron. “I think they were looking for an excuse to close it down, and they found one.
“They should’ve punished the guys who did what they did — and leave everyone else alone. A lot of people go down there and just hang out and don’t cause any problems.”
Senior Airman Andrea Rhea of the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron said each individual must act responsibly during a night out on the town. She doesn’t believe the curfew on Bar Row will have any impact.
“I really don’t think it matters. The problem is still going to be there regardless,” she said. “There are a lot of places in Japan to go drink.”
A staff sergeant assigned to the 374th Security Forces Squadron who asked not to be identified said he understood the order’s intent but believes it won’t curtail off-base shenanigans.
“If the goal is to deter drinking, that will not deter drinking,” he added. “Most folks are compliant, but you’ll always have a few who will break the law. Bar Row is not making them break the law.”
Others weren’t bothered so much by the policy change. But now that it’s in effect, they’d like to see some concessions on base.
“If they’re going to shut off Bar Row, they should extend the hours at the Enlisted Club to at least 4 o’clock,” said Senior Airman Joe Stanford III of the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron. “You can’t expect young servicemembers to be ready to go home at 2 a.m. All the young people, they want to party.”
Standing outside his nightclub, Eddie’s, on the far edge of Bar Row, Eddie Kimura said Thursday night he’s concerned about the new ban. He’s been on the strip for three decades and says 70 percent of his customers are U.S. military personnel.
“If they don’t come, I can’t stay in business,” he said. “I’ve never had any trouble. We take care of younger GIs. No problems. At my shop, if there’s trouble, we have two bouncers. They calmly take care of it.”
Timothy Dever-Takayama, a U.S. civilian at Yokota who handles security at Eddie’s, said the establishment’s peak time is between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday, when 85 percent of those coming through the door are from the base.
“It’s gonna kill us,” he said. “What kind of business can survive on 15 percent of its customer base?”
