For the Japan Airlines captain who called in sick after drinking the day before he was scheduled for an international flight in late August, that was not the first time he violated the company rule banning alcohol consumption for cockpit crew at work destinations.

Officials of Japan Airlines said the 64-year-old pilot reported to his company before his flight from Honolulu to Chubu Centrair Airport near Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture that he drank three bottles of beer in his hotel room the day before departure date.

He was suspended from duty for violating the company's drinking ban at destinations, put in place after a case in December 2024 involving pilots and alcohol consumption.

The officials said the captain in the latest case was also found to have drunk alcohol at work destinations on about 10 occasions.

They said he was included in a three-tier list of employees to watch out for as part of preventive measures against drinking, but on a low caution level as he had hidden the fact that he drank at destinations.

The officials said the company will take strict disciplinary action against the pilot and reinforce steps to prevent similar things from happening again.