SRF-JRMC Enjoys Traditional Yokosuka Noryo Summer Festival
Story and photo by Keiichi Adachi, CFAY Public Affairs


The SRF-JRMC Machine Shop parking lot was filled with people enjoying the Noryo Summer Festival. SRF-JRMC納涼大会の会場となったSRF-JRMC機械工場駐車場。納涼大会には、部隊内外から数百人が参加した。


There were plenty of booths available to enjoy various foods, drinks and games during the Noryo-Summer Festival. 納涼大会では伝統的な盆踊りのみならず、ビンゴゲームなどの催し物も用意され、会場には所狭しと色とりどりの模擬店が建ち並んだ。


People wear lightweight cotton gowns known as yukata, form a circle and dance to the rhythm of festival music known as hayashi during the Noryo Summer Festival. 浴衣姿の参加者は、輪になって音楽に合わせて盆踊りを楽しんでいた。

The U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRFJRMC) hosted its annual Noryo Summer Festival, one of Japan’s most popular seasonal traditions Aug. 6. Hundreds of people from SRF-JRMC, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) and the local Japanese community joined in the fun.

According to Hiroshi Aoki, the president of the SRF-JRMC Friendly Society, the Noryo Summer Festival along with the Bon dance is SRF-JRMCs biggest traditional event and has been held for 41 years. The event has two purposes; one is for employees’ families to visit the workplace and the other is to emphasize the importance of building cross-cultural relationships between Japanese and American military and civilian personnel.
 
In kicking off the event, Capt. Steven Stancy, commanding officer of SRF-JRMC, said, “Obon or summer vacation is one of three holiday periods faithfully observed by our Japanese friends, the others being Golden Week in May and New Year’s in January. I know many of you will travel to family reunions, and we are most pleased that you have made time to share this evening with us. I wish all of our Japanese friends a wonderful summer vacation and happy reunions with your family and friends!” The SRF-JRMC Noryo Summer Festival is an annual event that takes place in August and provides employees and their family members a chance to take a break from work and celebrate.

Through the festival, many participants get involved from different levels throughout SRF-JRMC and enjoy interacting with their coworkers. Some American employees embrace the Japanese culture by wearing summer yukatas and joining the Bon dance. The festival is also an excellent opportunity for Japanese employees to bring family members aboard CFAY while celebrating the traditional Japanese festival in a unique fashion.

Stancy concluded his speech by saying, “I know that much work goes into preparing for an event like this by the SRF-JRMC family, including the Friendly Society, the production shops and support codes. I would like to thank everyone for their hard work. Be safe, and have a great time!”

Yokosuka City Mayor Yuuto Yoshida, during his speech said that SRF-JRMC is renowned in the shipbuilding industry as a ship repair facility with 63 years of history and outstanding technology. Also, approximately 2,000 master labor contract (MLC) employees or 40 percent of the total MLC workforce at Yokosuka Base, work at SRF-JRMC, together with their American counterparts. “Yokosuka City has been striving to create a city where both Japanese and overseas citizens actively interact with each other,” Yoshida said.

“This festival strengthens my conviction that SRFJRMC plays an essential role in cultural exchanges between the U.S. and Japan. The SRF-JRMC motto is ‘Nandemo-dekimasu’ or ‘We can do anything.’ I am convinced that this professional spirit has made you achieve numerous accomplishments and the high esteem you have today.”

The festival included games, food and drink booths, and traditional Bon dancing - a ritual dance held to welcome back the spirits of the dead. People wear lightweight cotton gowns known as yukata, form a circle and dance to the rhythm of festival music known as hayashi. The festival, also called the Feast of Lanterns, has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years.

One SRF-JRMC family member said, “I am very impressed that everyone attending the festival was having a good time and employees at booths try to promote the festival. It was nice to see some Americans wearing a yukata and performing the Bon dance.”
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文・写真:安達慶一、CFAY広報課８月6日、米海軍艦船修理廠及び日本地区造修統括本部（SRF-JRMC）は、日本の夏の風物詩と言える納涼大会（サマーフェスティバル）を開催した。部隊内外から集った数百人の参加者は、連日の猛暑をしばし忘れ、盆踊りや様々な催し物を満喫した。

SRF-JRMC親睦会会長を務める青木洋さんによると、納涼大会は41年間、SRF-JRMCの伝統行事として定着している。従業員の家族に職場環境を披露し、部隊が従業員とその家族へ慰労の感謝の意を表すこと、そして、日本人と米国軍人・米国政府職員の異文化交流構築の重要性を再認識すること、これら２つが納涼大会の目的と言う。「この時期は正月、ゴールデンウイークと並び、日本人にとって大切な休暇であり、お盆休みとして帰郷される方も多いと聞いております。その忙しい最中に参加して頂きありがとうございます。私は皆さんがご家族やお友達と楽しい夏休みを過ごされる事を願っております」

とSRF-JRMC司令官スティーブン・スタンシー大佐は開催のスピーチで話した。毎年８月に開催されるSRF-JRMCの納涼大会は、従業員とその家族にひと時の憩いと楽しみを提供している。

日本の伝統的なお祭りを米軍施設で楽しむというユニークな企画の中で、日本人従業員が自分の家族を横須賀基地に連れてこれる格好な機会となっている。また、職場や上下の隔たりを超えた従業員同士の交流を深め、米国従業員が浴衣を着て盆踊りに参加し、日本文化に触れることができる。　「この納涼大会のために、親睦会を始め各ショップ、コードの従業員が実に沢山の協力をしてくれました。ありがとうございました。存分に楽しんでいって下さい」とスタンシー大佐はスピーチを締めくくった。

吉田雄人横須賀市長が来賓として参加した。挨拶の中で、63年の歴史をもち造船分野における卓越した技術を誇るこの艦船修理廠においては、基地で働く日本人従業者の約40パーセントである約2,000人の方々がアメリカ人の方々と共に働いていると伺ったと話し、こう続けた。「現在、横須賀 市は日本人も外国人も、共に活き活きと交流のできるまちづくりを目指しています。このお祭りを拝見しながら、SRF-JRMC がまさに日米間の交流の大切な役割を果たしている職場であるということを実感しているところです。また、SRF-JRMC のモットーは『何でもできます』と聞いています。この職人魂がこれまでの実績を積み重ね、今日の信頼を勝ち得たのだと確信しています。」

浴衣姿の参加者は、ビンゴゲームや色とりどりの模擬店に立寄り、輪になって音楽に合わせて先祖の魂を歓迎する伝統的な盆踊りを楽しんでいた。盆踊りは「提灯祭り」とも呼ばれ、日本で５００年以上も祝われてきた。

SRF-JRMC従業員の家族の１人がこう話してくれた。「誰もがこのイベントを楽しみ、出店の従業員が納涼大会を盛り上げる為に後押ししていたのが印象の残りました。アメリカ人の方が素敵に浴衣を着こなし、盆踊りを楽しむ姿を見るのはとても嬉しいことです。」