JAS conducts Japanese American Cultural Friendship 60th anniversary - Members from the Yamaguchi and Iwakuni Japanese-American Societies participate in a dedication ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 19, 2018. The Yamaguchi Japan-America Society donated the monument in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Japanese-American Society Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

New friendships built through healthy exercise, friendly competition - Local Japanese residents participate in the Iwakuni Friendship Relay Marathon in Iwakuni City, Japan, Dec. 2, 2018. The event was a collaboration between Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Iwakuni City organizations as a way to form new friendships through healthy exercise and friendly competition. Teams of 5-15 runners ran a 1.5km relay course around the new Go! Go! Field Stadium in Atago Hills Sports Complex for four hours and prizes were awarded to the top three teams with the most laps. There was also a costume contest. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

Air station residents experience flavor of local culture - U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Michael Wampler, right, a powerplants chief with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 12, watches as a local Japanese man works on a piece of bamboo to create a shinobue during the 8th Annual Culture Day at Tsuzu Elementary School in Tsuzu Town, Japan, Dec. 1, 2018. A shinobue is a traditional Japanese flute-like instrument that is used in many ceremonies and classical Japanese songs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew Jones)

Marines participate in 29th annual Kuragake Festival - U.S. Marines and Japanese locals march in a parade during the annual Kuragake Festival in Kuga, Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 18, 2018. Iwakuni City held the 29th annual Kuragake Castle Festival and Samurai Parade to commemorate the great battle of faith in 1555. Five U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni participated in the parade dressed in samurai costumes. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mason Roy)

MCAS Iwakuni hosts Halloween party with Japanese residents - An Air Station resident waits to enter a haunted house during an annual Youth and Teen Halloween Party at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 27, 2018. The Shunan International Children’s Club collaborated with the Marine Corps Community Services Youth and Teen Center to provide the youth an opportunity to connect through playing games from both cultures, eating great American and Japanese style treats, and experiencing language and cultural differences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Joseph Abrego)

American and Japanese educators collaborate at MCAS Iwakuni - A local Japanese educator views a classroom setting at Iwakuni Elementary School on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 30, 2018. Local educators from the Shimane Prefecture travel to Iwakuni Elementary School to view the facilities, observe the children in a classroom setting and take lessons away from the American education style. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Joseph Abrego)