Photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai - Students from Iwakuni Middle School attend an award ceremony at Iwakuni Kokusai Kanko Hotel, Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 14, 2020. The ceremony was held to award students from the air station for winning in an annual art competition hosted by the Yamaguchi Truck Association Iwakuni Branch. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai - Two staff members from Kawashimo Junior High School hold baskets during a cultural exchange event at Kawashimo Junior High School, Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 11, 2020. This annual event allows middle school students from two different cultures to interact with each other.The exchange provided an opportunity for children from the air station to have a friendly competition with local Japanese students. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai)

9th annual US-Japan Friendship Concert held in Iwakuni City - A student with Iwakuni Municipal Iwakuni Elementary School plays “Koi” by Gen Hoshino at the Sinfonia Iwakuni Concert Hall in Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 23, 2019. Seven schools and 222 students participated in the 9th annual U.S.-Japan Friendship Concert that was hosted by the Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau. The purpose of the concert was to strengthen understanding and collaboration with local residents within the vicinity of Iwakuni City. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

U.S.-Japan Friendship Concert showcases harmony between two nations - Josephine Blair, an audience member, watches a performance during the eighth annual U.S.-Japan Friendship Concert at the Sinfonia Iwakuni Concert Hall in Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 24, 2018. The event allowed students from different cultures to come together to perform and have the opportunity to build connections through music, despite the language barrier. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauren Brune)