YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Each weekend, throngs of Yokota airmen wander to “Bar Row,” an entertainment district in nearby Fussa City that features nightclubs, karaoke parlors, restaurants and other establishments.

But following a series of crimes, altercations and assaults at Bar Row involving base personnel, including one last weekend that left two airmen seriously wounded, Yokota’s commander has imposed a restriction for the area.

The order, issued by Col. Mark Schissler on Monday, prohibits all Yokota servicemembers from being within a block of Akasen-dori — which lies near Honcho-dori and Fujimi-dori between the base and the Fussa train station — between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.

While Schissler conceded he doesn’t have command authority over Defense Department civilians, dependents or contractors, he said Friday he’s seeking compliance from all members of the Yokota community.

“I expect SOFA-status dependents, DOD civilians, and DOD-invited contractors to abide by this restriction as well,” his policy letter states.

According to the letter, base personnel were involved in numerous criminal incidents and assaults at or near Bar Row since March. But the problems, Schissler said, have persisted over many years.

After weighing the risks and consulting with the 374th Airlift Wing’s legal officials for the past few months, he decided to act.

“On any given weekend, there is usually some event — an altercation, fight or disturbance on Bar Row on a Friday or Saturday night. The trend has been going on for years,” he said. “They involve civilians as well as military. So I expect civilians and family members to comply with it for their own safety.

“As the installation commander, I’m responsible for the safety of all our people and families at Yokota Air Base. It’s the protective part that’s important to me.”

Trigger incident

While Schissler says the policy shift has been brewing for some time, an incident last weekend on Bar Row appears to have hastened the change.

Around 5:30 a.m. on May 7, two unidentified Yokota airmen became involved in a street fight with several people. According to Schissler, one of the airmen attempted to break up the melee, but both were struck from behind with beer bottles and wound up with severe injuries.

“They’re out of danger now,” Schissler said, “but they’ll have significant scars from the fight.” The airmen were treated and released from Yokota’s base hospital that morning, said Capt. David Westover, a 374th Airlift Wing spokesman.

The clash was not initiated by any Japanese or U.S. military personnel, he said, adding only that the matter remains under investigation by Fussa police. No arrests have been made.

‘Reasonable cutoff’

Schissler said he feels the 1 a.m. curfew is a “reasonable cutoff time.”

During commander’s calls with Yokota servicemembers, he has told them that “nothing good ever happens after midnight.”

“I don’t like people staying in a place like that well into the early-morning hours,” he said. “Whether it’s Tokyo or Bar Row, if you leave right at midnight, you’ll probably never get into trouble. Most of these incidents happened after midnight. That’s why I put it at 1 a.m. … It takes them out of that environment during what I consider the most dangerous hours of the day.

“I have no problem with some of the establishment owners down there. They’ve helped our people out from time to time. The issue is out in the street or in the alleys where the problems seem to come up most often.”

Schissler pointed to alternatives for Yokota airmen, including the base’s Enlisted Club, which is open Friday night until 3 a.m. and Saturday night until 2 a.m., and until midnight Sunday through Thursday.

The measure isn’t aimed at people who live off base within the Bar Row area and might be transiting to or from work or the Fussa train station. But it’ll remain in effect for the long term, he said.

“I’d consider it a permanent feature of Yokota Air Base, unless somebody else decides to change it,” Schissler said. “I haven’t had one person tell me it’s a bad thing.

“It’s a small portion of the community that tends to go down there late at night or early in the morning. The general consensus is it’s a good, prudent move for the safety of our community.”

Seeking compliance

Schissler said he’s not focusing on enforcement. Instead, compliance is his primary objective.

“When I tell people to do something, I expect them to do it,” he said. “The policy is one o’clock, leave and don’t be there. We’ll use whatever methods it takes to enforce it over time, but I expect compliance and I will achieve compliance.”

Those found violating the order face punitive action by individual squadron commanders, based on the evidence that surfaces, Schissler said.

He invoked the “wingman policy” as a way to keep personnel out of potentially harmful situations.

“A good wingman never leaves anyone behind,” he said. “If you’re law-abiding and down there at 1 a.m., bring your friends back home. … Most people go down there with no desire for anything to happen. Our folks usually don’t start fights. Unfortunately, they do get involved occasionally.”

Schissler said similar policies have been instituted at other U.S. military installations in Japan.

“We’ll see how ours works out, and adjust as necessary,” he added. “My main goal is to protect our folks and keep them safe, not take away their freedom. This way, they have a better chance to be in good shape the next morning.”

Curfew facts

RESTRICTION: Yokota servicemembers must be at least one block away from Akasen-dori between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.

WHO IT APPLIES TO: The order, issued by Col. Mark Schissler, applies to all Yokota servicemembers. While Schissler acknowledged he can’t technically enforce the order on Defense Department civilians, dependents or contractors, he’s still asking them to comply with the order, too.

PENALTIES: Servicemembers found in violation of the order face punitive action by individual squadron commanders, based on evidence that surfaces.