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Japan to strengthen alcohol rules for airline workers after co-pilot's arrest

By Nicholas Sakelaris
A Japan Airlines co-pilot was arrested for being 10 times over the legal limit in Britain Sunday, prompting Japanese officials to consider tougher rules on alcohol consumption by airlines crew. Photo by Kimimasa Mayama/EPA
A Japan Airlines co-pilot was arrested for being 10 times over the legal limit in Britain Sunday, prompting Japanese officials to consider tougher rules on alcohol consumption by airlines crew. Photo by Kimimasa Mayama/EPA

Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Days after a Japan Airlines co-pilot was arrested for being drunk before a flight in London, Japanese officials are proposing new rules for alcohol consumption by airline employees.

Historically, the country has left the sobriety testing to the airlines. In the United States, there are government regulations in place.

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"Although we conduct regular or unannounced safety inspected for airlines, detailed drinking regulations are left to the discretion of each company," an official at the transport ministry's safety and security department told Kyodo News.

Keiichi Ishii, transport minister, said the country will "use all possible means to ensure flight safety."

Japan Airlines said co-pilot Katsutoshi Jitsukawa, 42, was 10 times over the legal limit in Britain after consuming two bottles of wine and five cans of beer within hours of the flight back to Tokyo. A driver on a crew bus at London Heathrow Airport smelled alcohol on the co-pilot's breath and he was arrested.

The nearly 12-hour flight from London to Tokyo normally has two captains and a co-pilot. The flight took off more than an hour late.

Sentencing for the pilot is set for Nov. 29.

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Following the arrest, Japan Airlines temporarily doubled the time where pilots aren't allowed to consume alcohol from 12 hours to 24 hours before a flight.

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