IWAKUNI CITY, Japan (October 4, 2019) -- Mikie Watanabe, cultural adaptation specialist with Marine Corps Community Services, took 20 Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni residents on a journey to learn more about local Japanese restaurants and grocery stores at Fresta Mall in Iwakuni City, Friday, September 20, 2019. Watanabe organizes this trip four times a year to familiarize the residents of MCAS Iwakuni with Japanese lifestyles so that they are comfortable exploring Iwakuni City by themselves.
When United States military personnel and their families are sent over-seas, they are exposed to different cultures and lifestyles. The Cultural Adaptation Programs are set into place for the residents of MCAS Iwakuni to better recognize their surroundings and respect the people of the places they are visiting or living.
On Friday, 20 MCAS Iwakuni residents were taken to Fresta Supermarket and a sushi restaurant called Kura Zushi. At Kura Zushi, they were taught by Watanabe, who is also a Japanese resident, how to order food and the difference in American and Japanese sushi.
Marcello Biradelli, a MCAS Iwakuni resident, said, “The food out here is definitely fresher and not as vibrant as American-Japanese food. The ease of ordering here (Kura Zushi) is convenient with the use of touch-screen menus. Mikie has been nothing but patient with us, translating each and every menu item and button.”
MCAS Iwakuni residents were also able to go to the grocery store and shop for the weekend with the help of Watanabe. She translated the products, explained the differences between American and Japanese versions of different foods and gave the residents booklets to translate simple phrases that help shoppers navigate the store. Watanabe believes it is important for U.S. civilians and military personnel to understand the culture of the Japanese residents to further the progression of the Japan-U.S. alliance and make the U.S. citizens more comfortable with their surroundings here in Japan.
She said, “I do these trips several times a year to get the new residents familiar with Japan, because when they become familiar they no longer sit in their rooms all day, scared to experience the world due to the language barrier. They now want to get out and experience more of Japan and are more willing to learn simple phrases in Japanese to help better the communication with the Japanese residents.”
After the short trip was over residents had a better understanding of what the Fresta Mall had to offer, how to distinguish different products at the supermarket, and were more knowledgeable about Japan as a whole. Watanabe will continue to do similar trips in the future to help the residents of MCAS Iwakuni. For more information on other trips taking place, visit the cultural adaptation office in Building 411 or call 253-6165.
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