IWAKUNI CITY, Japan -- The Japanese American Society (JAS) Iwakuni and Iwakuni City sponsored the 2018 JAS Halloween Carnival in Iwakuni City, Japan, Oct. 19, 2018.
The carnival created an opportunity for local Japanese and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents to make friends, enhance the U.S.-Japan alliance and conduct cultural exchanges by participating in the holiday together.
“I think the Japanese in general are very accepting of many types of western culture,” said Bobby Shibazaki, president of JAS Iwakuni. “Halloween especially is a very popular event because both Americans and Japanese enjoy celebrating it by wearing costumes and trick-or-treating.”
Shibazaki said that events during the carnival included face painting, trick-or-treating, and costumes contests categorized by age.
The event had a fully integrated staff between board and committee members, family members, JAS volunteers from the air station and individuals from both cultures to provide entertainment for the guests.
“It was a wonderful experience for both us and them,” said U.S. Navy Engineman 1st Class Xavier Gomez with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “I think it’s really cool for some of these children because it’s their first Halloween ever. Watching them getting so excited for candy is awesome and it’s really interesting to see them dress up as Japanese characters.”
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