Although it may not be able to occur in the United States, the Mayor of a Japanese city has cracked down on the drinking habits of his city officials. Apparently the town of Fukoka Japan has some heavy drinkers who also happen to be public employees, which has actually lead to some pretty ridiculous incidents. So, in an effort to uphold the reputation of his city and ultimately his officials he has put a ban on the consumption of alcohol for the 20,000 municipal workers that are employed by the city.
Mayor Of Fukoka
The mayor of Fukoka, Japan, Soichiro Takashima has decided to take a stand on the alcohol consumption habits of his employees. His ban means that not one of his employees can imbibe alcohol at bars, public functions, restaurants, or even at the homes of their friends and family. There are two exceptions to this ban. The first is that his employees are allowed to drink at their own wedding. However, if it’s somebody else’s wedding, they are not allowed. Employees are also allowed to drink in the privacy of their own home. In his own words Mayor Soichiro Takashima is referring to his eccentric ban as a “shock therapy”, he is hoping that it helps change his employee’s attitudes and behavior regarding alcohol, and hopefully it will change the attitude of the city population as well.
Recent Events
This unusual ban was preceded by unfortunate incidents regarding alcohol and city employees. Some drunken antics by city officials include a drunken fireman stealing a car, a headmaster of a school throwing a beat down on a former colleague, and a city port bureau official being involved with an assault on a taxi driver. These are all unfortunate alcohol fueled incidents, the fact they involved city officials is even more upsetting. Representatives and workers for the people should be more conscientious about their behavior especially in public, hence the ban on city employees drinking.
Alternative Action
This is a great alternative action when it comes to limiting alcohol fueled violence and idiocy. In addition it’s a great way to help those who do struggle with alcohol dependence issues to discover this problem, and maybe seek help. If a city official of Fukoka realizes they cannot go without alcohol and seeks treatment, then ultimately the ban has succeeded in the even more difficult endeavour of helping an alcoholic seek treatment. If only the United States could enact some of these restrictions.
It can be argued that those involved in alcohol related incidences definitely have issues with alcohol and abstention is probably the best option to curtail such behaviors and incidences. However, until the ban on alcohol, perhaps there was no incentive for them to evaluate and change their behavior. Mayor Soichiro came up with a great solution to damaging issues and he should be heralded for his efforts. And who knows, perhaps more people will take to the sober living lifestyle and continue to live it.
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