Japanese, Americans build relationships in a unique way - Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents and Japanese locals pose for a photo in front of the White Snake Shrine during a Cultural Adaptation trip in Iwakuni City, Japan, Sept. 15, 2017. Air station residents learned about the history and genetic makeup of the famed white snake species and were given the chance to touch and hold the snakes. Some of them eagerly volunteered to take their turn, while others were visibly nervous and even shook up. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

Michelle Hena, a volunteer with the Marine Memorial Chapel, high-fives a Josho Hoikuen Preschool student after singing “Happy Birthday” to him during a community relations event in Iwakuni City, Japan, May 9, 2017. Volunteering at the preschool helped the relationship between Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents and the local community grow stronger. Introductions were given by the volunteers while students asked them questions, then the children were introduced to “The Hokey Pokey” and “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” before playing educational games with the volunteers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - Michelle Hena, a volunteer with the Marine Memorial Chapel, high-fives a Josho Hoikuen Preschool student after singing “Happy Birthday” to him during a community relations event in Iwakuni City, Japan, May 9, 2017. Volunteering at the preschool helped the relationship between Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents and the local community grow stronger. Introductions were given by the volunteers while students asked them questions, then the children were introduced to “The Hokey Pokey” and “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” before playing educational games with the volunteers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

Dimitri Jelobkovitch, a participant in the cooking class, slices vegetables during a cultural exchange at Tsuzu Elementary School at Iwakuni City, Japan, March 11, 2017. During the event, a traditional tea ceremony was demonstrated and a cooking class was held to teach people how to make common Japanese dishes. The event, which brought Americans and Japanese together, taught residents from MCAS Iwakuni about Japanese culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - Dimitri Jelobkovitch, a participant in the cooking class, slices vegetables during a cultural exchange at Tsuzu Elementary School at Iwakuni City, Japan, March 11, 2017. During the event, a traditional tea ceremony was demonstrated and a cooking class was held to teach people how to make common Japanese dishes. The event, which brought Americans and Japanese together, taught residents from MCAS Iwakuni about Japanese culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

U.S. Marines and Sailors from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni march with members of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fleet Air Wing 31 and Japanese civilians during the 60th Annual Iwakuni Festival in Iwakuni City, Japan, Oct. 16, 2016. The goal of the festival is to enrich the Iwakuni image, show the development of the community and build relationships between Iwakuni civilians. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marines and Sailors from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni march with members of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fleet Air Wing 31 and Japanese civilians during the 60th Annual Iwakuni Festival in Iwakuni City, Japan, Oct. 16, 2016. The goal of the festival is to enrich the Iwakuni image, show the development of the community and build relationships between Iwakuni civilians. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer select Lamonica Harrison, chief hospital corpsman select with the Branch Health Clinic on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, hands juice to a local Japanese child at Ekimae Hoikuen preschool in Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 8, 2016. After completing the maintenance at the school, the Seabees provided drinks and chips to the students and had the opportunity to talk with them about the maintenance they completed. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer select Lamonica Harrison, chief hospital corpsman select with the Branch Health Clinic on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, hands juice to a local Japanese child at Ekimae Hoikuen preschool in Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 8, 2016. After completing the maintenance at the school, the Seabees provided drinks and chips to the students and had the opportunity to talk with them about the maintenance they completed. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Petty Officer 3rd Class Antonio Medelgonzal, a harbor operations dispatcher with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, high-fives children at Josho Hoikuen School in Iwakuni City, Japan, April 19, 2016. Visiting the school provided service members the chance to teach children how to speak and count in English, fostering the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. The visit afforded the children the opportunity to meet and interact with new people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Petty Officer 3rd Class Antonio Medelgonzal, a harbor operations dispatcher with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, high-fives children at Josho Hoikuen School in Iwakuni City, Japan, April 19, 2016. Visiting the school provided service members the chance to teach children how to speak and count in English, fostering the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. The visit afforded the children the opportunity to meet and interact with new people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)