Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Halloween Carnival in Iwakuni City creates opportunity to make f - Local Japanese and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni residents participate in the 2018 Japanese American Society 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

Japanese, Americans get taste of Jambalaya - A member of the Japanese American Society (JAS) Iwakuni pours batter during a cooking class at the Lotus Cultural Center in Iwakuni City, Japan, Aug. 30, 2018. The class is a monthly event held for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and local Japanese residents in order to promote the U.S.-Japan Alliance and build friendships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Jones)

Japanese American Society celebrates 60th anniversary in holiday party - Rasetsu ninja performers from Hiroshima take a photo with kids during the Japanese American Society (JAS) Iwakuni Holiday and 60th Anniversary Party at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 2, 2017. The party was a way for Japanese locals and MCAS Iwakuni residents to spend some time getting to know one another by combining their cultures and sharing a night of celebrating the holidays and 60 years of JAS. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Marcus Campbell)

Breaking language barriers, building bonds - Contestants, judges and distinguished guests pose for a picture during the 56th Annual Japanese and English Speech Contest at Sinfonia Iwakuni Concert Hall in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 19, 2017. The contest was hosted by the Japanese American Society to help contestants understand and appreciate each other’s language and culture, strengthening the Japanese and American friendship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Muriah King)

Local Japanese volunteers with the Japanese American Society perform the Eisa Okinawan Dance during the 60th Annual Culture Festival at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 11, 2017. The festival included Japanese dance performances, decorated exhibits and traditional activities and rituals. JAS continues to bridge the U.S.-Japan friendship by providing quality cultural events and activities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez) - Local Japanese volunteers with the Japanese American Society perform the Eisa Okinawan Dance during the 60th Annual Culture Festival at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 11, 2017. The festival included Japanese dance performances, decorated exhibits and traditional activities and rituals. JAS continues to bridge the U.S.-Japan friendship by providing quality cultural events and activities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

Kevin Barr, a contestant at the 55th Annual Japanese and English Speech Contest, delivers his speech in Japanese at Iwakuni Sinfonia in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 13, 2016. Barr won 3rd place in the advanced Japanese division with his speech “Heiwa na sekai”. Japanese students delivered speeches in English and Americans in Japanese, while being critiqued on voice control, fluency and overall performance. The speech contest broke through language barriers and cultural differences, creating a stronger relationship between Japanese and Americans. (U.S, Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - Kevin Barr, a contestant at the 55th Annual Japanese and English Speech Contest, delivers his speech in Japanese at Iwakuni Sinfonia in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 13, 2016. Barr won 3rd place in the advanced Japanese division with his speech “Heiwa na sekai”. Japanese students delivered speeches in English and Americans in Japanese, while being critiqued on voice control, fluency and overall performance. The speech contest broke through language barriers and cultural differences, creating a stronger relationship between Japanese and Americans. (U.S, Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

A member of the Fire Snake Theater, clad in a dragon costume, uses fireworks to portray the beast’s fire-breathing effect during the Kagura performance inside of the Matthew C. Perry High School cafeteria as part of the Japanese American Society Culture Festival, March 8, 2014 aboard, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Performers depicted the mythological tale of Yamata-no-Orochi, an eight-headed and eight-tailed serpent. - A member of the Fire Snake Theater, clad in a dragon costume, uses fireworks to portray the beast’s fire-breathing effect during the Kagura performance inside of the Matthew C. Perry High School cafeteria as part of the Japanese American Society Culture Festival, March 8, 2014 aboard, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Performers depicted the mythological tale of Yamata-no-Orochi, an eight-headed and eight-tailed serpent.

An actor plays the role of Susano-o, a character in the kagura performance at the Japanese American Society Culture Festival held at Matthew C. Perry’s cafeteria here, March 9, 2013. The show, called Yamata-no-Orochi, is based on a Japanese folklore of an eight-headed and eight-tailed serpent. Susano-o was a god banished from the heavens to Earth and is the protagonist in the story. - An actor plays the role of Susano-o, a character in the kagura performance at the Japanese American Society Culture Festival held at Matthew C. Perry’s cafeteria here, March 9, 2013. The show, called Yamata-no-Orochi, is based on a Japanese folklore of an eight-headed and eight-tailed serpent. Susano-o was a god banished from the heavens to Earth and is the protagonist in the story.