U.S. Navy Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis has been falsely convicted and sentenced to three years in prison in Japan. LT Alkonis has not received a fair trial and has endured numerous injustices. 

On May 29, 2021, Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis, along with his wife and three children, were involved in a tragic car accident. After a day trip to climb Mt Fuji from their home in Yokosuka, Japan, LT Alkonis experienced a sudden and unforeseen medical emergency in which he lost consciousness while driving the family vehicle to get lunch and ice cream. An unconscious LT Alkonis crashed into several parked vehicles in a restaurant parking lot resulting in the tragic death of two Japanese citizens. LT Alkonis was immediately arrested by Japanese authorities and imprisoned in solitary confinement. 

LT Alkonis endured numerous interrogations per day for multiple hours with no legal counsel present and inadequate translation. The Japanese police systematically deprived LT Alkonis of sleep by forcing him to sleep directly under bright lights during the duration of his initial imprisonment, a period of 26 days. 

There was no alcohol, drugs, or medications involved in this accident, and LT Alkonis was well-rested. After in-depth medical evaluations, a Navy neurologist in Yokosuka, Japan, clinically diagnosed LT Alkonis with “Acute Mountain Sickness” as the reason for his loss of consciousness on the day of the accident. 

LT Alkonis has been falsely convicted on the charges of “negligent driving resulting in death and injury.” The conviction is based on a false narrative that LT Alkonis knowingly drove a vehicle while fatigued and fell asleep at the wheel. Although innocent, LT Alkonis has done everything possible to help the victims’ family. Despite all of this, LT Alkonis was sentenced in October 2021 to three years in a Japanese prison. 

o   U.S. Naval Officer in Japan Faces Prison

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Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis is an exemplary United States Naval Surface Warfare Officer who commissioned through the United States Naval Academy in 2012. Before his commissioning, LT Alkonis served two years as a volunteer missionary for his church in Japan, learning the language and culture. As a United States Naval Officer, he actively sought assignments in Japan, resulting in three tours of duty and six additional years living in Japan. LT Alkonis has dedicated much of his career to strengthening the United States-Japan Alliance and has done much to develop relationships between the United States Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-defense Force. LT Alkonis is married to his wife of 10 years, Brittany, and together they have three children, ages 7, 5, and 4.

It is imperative that the US government immediately address this human rights issue and do whatever is necessary to return LT Alkonis home.

President Biden and Administration, we ask that you take assertive action today – doing whatever is necessary – to bring LT Ridge Alkonis home swiftly and safely.

Additionally, we request that the Senate Armed Services Committee and House Armed Services Committee conduct an investigative review of the United States-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to prevent this from happening to other U.S. service members. 

Next Steps: What can you do to help NOW? 

1.   Sign & share the petition. 

2.   Call your elected officials. Ask them to "Bring Ridge Home."

• White House Phone: (202) 456-1111 
• U.S. Representatives: Find your Reps here
• U.S. Senators: Find your senators here

Lastly, this tragedy has caused the Alkonis family to use up large amounts of money from their personal savings as well as savings from family and friends. If you'd like to help financially support continued efforts to Bring Ridge Home donate here.