Ikego Friendship Day 2012　(池子基地フレンドシップデー)

Date: Saturday, May 12th

Time: 1130 to 1730.

Rain Date: Sunday, May 13th from 1130 to 1730

Ikego opens gates for 16th annual Friendship Day
Story and photo by Emma Damsky, Seahawk contributor


Attendees of the 16th annual Ikego Friendship Day visit kiosks set up as part of the entertaiment for the event May 12. Approximately, 3,500 Japanese and American citizens visited and participated in the event.


Commander Fleet　Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) hosted the 16th annual Ikego Friendship Day on board Ikego Housing Detachment May 12.
A pproximately, 3,500 Japanese and American citizens participated in the event.

During the opening ceremony, Ikego Officer-In-Charge Chief Master-at-Arms Ronald Jones praised Zushi City Mayor Ryuichi Hirai.
“As neighbors we believe that fostering friendship and goodwill relations between the citizens of Zushi and the residents of Ikego Hills is extremely important. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you one of the great leaders in that effort,” said Jones.

According to Hirai, he expects Zushi citizens and families of U.S. forces to continue friendly exchanges and goodwill efforts to further expand the friendship in the community.
“Currently various friendly exchange programs such as sports and cultural exchange programs have been actively organized throughout the year in Ikego Hills,” said Hirai. “I hope this day will be an enjoyable and memorable day for all of Zushi citizens and residents of Ikego Hills.”

According to CFAY Commanding Officer Capt. David Owen, who was guest speaker for the event, the relationship with the local communities, outside the confines of the installations is the key to success for the U.S. Navy mission.

“Today we celebrate our friendship with the city of Zushi and you, our ever gracious hosts in Japan. I consider our relationship with you, citizens of Japan and the City of Zushi to be the cornerstone of our success here,” said Owen. “The citizens of Zushi City, Navy family members and civilians of CFAY have interacted in more than a hundred events annually from baseball events to track and field meets to clean up projects. The residents here in Ikego indeed feel part of the Zushi community. Our relationship today is getting stronger and closer every year and this event here today plays a key role in keeping such a relationship.”

Other distinguished guests on stage for the opening ceremony were Kanagawa Prefecture Assembly Member Daisuke Kondo and Zushi City officials Masatusugu Mashita, council chairperson; Takeshi Takano, council vice chairperson; Suzuko Oda, vice mayor; and Eiichi Fukuoka, Zushi Police chief.

Events kicked off early in the morning with a 2K and 4K run around Ikego Hills followed by a roller-derby scrimmage by Yokosuka Sushi Rollers.

Approximately, 150 people participated in the runs and observed the scrimmage.
“I think it’s neat. I did the 4K run this morning with my stroller. It was fun, there was a good participation from the Japanese and Americans too” said Tonya Miyano, Navy spouse and Zushi resident.

One of the main events on the field, the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, “Pacific Ambassadors,” played to welcome visitors as they arrived.
“I feel the friendship between Japan and America. I was impressed by the Japanese and American anthems,” said Junko Saito, a Hayama resident.
Another stage included taiko (drum) performances, the Zushi City High School Band, Keaulaula Okalani Hula Hulau dances, and rock bands Motor Mustang and The Arounds.

CFAY Morale Welfare and Recreation organized the two stages of entertainment and the 32 concession stands run by CFAY and American and Japanese private organizations including carnival games and bouncy houses. Several ships were represented at booths by Family Readiness Groups including USS Cowpens, USS George Washington and USS Shiloh.
Commander Naval Forces Japan Regional Fire Department and Zushi City Fire Department had several displays popular with families. Children could dress in firefighting gear, sit in a fire truck and walk through a smoke filled tent that simulated a smoky room.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 Det. Japan ran an interactive display where people could operate two PacBots, which are used for ordinance disposal.
Attendee and Negishi resident Kana Barton said of the day, “It’s the first time I came here to Ikego, lots of things for the kids. The kids are having so much fun.”

Food kiosks ran the gamut from American barbeque and hot dogs to döner kebabs (Turkish kebabs), and Japanese Hiroshimayaki, which the Hiroshima version of okonomiyaki which is a non-sweet pancake, usually filled with vegetables. Hiroshimayaki contains grilled soba (buckwheat) noodles inside.

The largest line for a food vendor was at Masaki Catering where the draw for many Japanese were the giant American burgers, particularly the Sasebo burger. Owner Shozo Masaki explained that the Sasebo burger included a fried egg, bacon and cheese.
“I enjoyed many shops, food shops and souvenirs. This is first time having spare ribs; a little bit sweet and tender. The homemade sweets are interesting, I’ve never seen them like that,” said Chieko Kawahara, Kanazawa-Bunko resident, referring to the various stands.
Mayor Hirai also promoted an upcoming event “Sports Challenge Day” on May 30. He encouraged Zushi and Ikego residents to participate in a friendly competition with its Tokushima prefecture city sister city, Naruto. The losing city must raise the winning city’s flag at City Hall.
For more information on the event contact the Ikego OIC office at 246-8042.