MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Station residents helped strengthen Japanese-American relations by participating in an annual cleanup of Iwakuni’s Kintai Trail Feb. 23.The Kintai area is a popular destination for station residents, and the trail is heavily used by tourists during the cherry blossom season.Prior to the cleanup, service members from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 chaplain’s office contacted officials at the Yamaguchi Prefecture Office, who were excited about the offer.“The offer from U.S. Marines to voluntarily pick up trash is very much welcomed,” said Hiroshi Yasunaga, Iwakuni Public Works Maintenance Division manager. The cleanup was an opportunity for the ten Marines and sailors participating to fulfill their role as service members. “(Community relations) is part of our overall mission, which is to improve our relationship with the local Japanese,” said 1st Lt. Tanzania R. Jaysura, cleanup participant, MWSS-171 adjutant and Bronx, N.Y., native. “Anytime there’s a (community relations) event (service members) should contribute because it makes us better ambassadors for the U.S.”During the two-hour cleanup effort, a few local residents noticed the work the Americans were doing and stopped to thank them. The friendly exchanges proved the residents were doing more than just picking up trash. “A lot of the stuff I see in the local news about service members is negative,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class William M. Howell, cleanup coordinator and participant, MWSS-171 religious program specialist, and Atlanta, Ga., native. “I hope (the cleanup) helps local residents view us in a more positive light.”Though Howell was responsible for organizing the event, he emphasized the contributions made by fellow service members.“It really helps to have a group of people so willing to help out,” said Howell. “We couldn’t do anything without their support.”The service members gathered several large bagfuls of trash during the cleanup, helping to keep the scenic Kintai area attractive to all who use it.“We are very excited that the area is now clean and beautiful,” said Yasunaga. “We're very grateful for the Marines’ help.”