Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai - Students from Iwakuni Middle School walk through a tunnel of arms 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)

MCAS Iwakuni residents stir together a relationship - Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents and Japanese teachers participate in a cooking class during a community cultural exchange with local Japanese children at Tsuzu Elementary School, Iwakuni City, Jan. 25, 2020. The exchange included an opportunity for participants to experience Japanese culture through games as well as a cooking class. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai)

Children from the Josho Hoikuen School in Iwakuni City say goodbye to Noriko Yamada, an administrative specialist with the Marine Memorial Chapel, and service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, 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 chapel coordinated this community event as an opportunity to experience Japanese culture, give back to the local community and strengthen the bond between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Children from the Josho Hoikuen School in Iwakuni City say goodbye to Noriko Yamada, an administrative specialist with the Marine Memorial Chapel, and service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, 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 chapel coordinated this community event as an opportunity to experience Japanese culture, give back to the local community and strengthen the bond between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni pose with Japanese civilians and volunteers for a group photo during a Mochitsuki – rice pounding – event at Tenno Elementary School in Tenno, Japan, April 16, 2016. The event offered residents the opportunity to interact with Japanese civilians and experience a different part of their culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni pose with Japanese civilians and volunteers for a group photo during a Mochitsuki – rice pounding – event at Tenno Elementary School in Tenno, Japan, April 16, 2016. The event offered residents the opportunity to interact with Japanese civilians and experience a different part of their culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

The Fukugawa Elementary School marching band performs at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during a cultural exchange Feb. 11, 2016. Fukugawa Elementary School is a member of the Shunan International Children’s Club that visits M.C. Perry Elementary School annually. The 6th annual performance included karate, traditional Japanese dance, a marching band and musical choir. - The Fukugawa Elementary School marching band performs at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during a cultural exchange Feb. 11, 2016. Fukugawa Elementary School is a member of the Shunan International Children’s Club that visits M.C. Perry Elementary School annually. The 6th annual performance included karate, traditional Japanese dance, a marching band and musical choir.

Matthew C. Perry and Takamori Midori Junior High School students pose for a photo during a cultural exchange event at Takamori Midori Junior High School in Kuga, Japan, Feb. 2, 2016. Traditionally, Midori Junior High School visits M.C. Perry annually and was excited to invite the American students into their own school this year. - Matthew C. Perry and Takamori Midori Junior High School students pose for a photo during a cultural exchange event at Takamori Midori Junior High School in Kuga, Japan, Feb. 2, 2016. Traditionally, Midori Junior High School visits M.C. Perry annually and was excited to invite the American students into their own school this year.

Participants pose for a group photo at the end of Cultural Day in Tsuzu, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event provides both the American and Japanese communities an opportunity to interact, learn about each other’s culture, and make new friends through games, food, and arts and crafts. Visitors participated in a variety of activities such as mochi pounding, making wooden flutes, walking on bamboo stilts, and much more. - Participants pose for a group photo at the end of Cultural Day in Tsuzu, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event provides both the American and Japanese communities an opportunity to interact, learn about each other’s culture, and make new friends through games, food, and arts and crafts. Visitors participated in a variety of activities such as mochi pounding, making wooden flutes, walking on bamboo stilts, and much more.

Children from Shunan International Children’s Club perform the classical Japanese dance, Nihon-Buyo, during Matthew C. Perry Elementary School’s Japanese Cultural Exchange aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 11, 2015. The 5th annual performance included traditional martial arts, a classical Japanese dance and musical performances. This ongoing cultural exchange illustrates the greater part of the U.S.-Japan relationship and solidifies ties with our host nation. - Children from Shunan International Children’s Club perform the classical Japanese dance, Nihon-Buyo, during Matthew C. Perry Elementary School’s Japanese Cultural Exchange aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 11, 2015. The 5th annual performance included traditional martial arts, a classical Japanese dance and musical performances. This ongoing cultural exchange illustrates the greater part of the U.S.-Japan relationship and solidifies ties with our host nation.