Photo By Capt. Adam Miller | Dr. Ray A. Welch showcases some of Camp Foster’s facilities for the Japan Young...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP FOSTER, Japan - The Camp Foster commander met with members of the Young Entrepreneurs Group of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry March 8 at Camp Foster during the initial Friends of Foster community-relations program.
The group attended a brief presentation about the camp, participated in question and answer sessions followed by a tour around the camp and a luncheon at the Ocean Breeze.
Japan YEG is comprised of professionals involved in activities primarily centered on research in corporate management, as they seek to promote business prosperity through mutual exchanges and support the broader activities of their chambers, according to the Japan YEG.
The organization holds an annual convention, which brings their members together to hold subcommittee meetings, business-networking forums, and product exhibitions. This is the first year Japan YEG has held the convention in Okinawa and the first time they have visited Camp Foster.
“I think it gives the local community the opportunity to get an inside perspective of the camp and the Marine Corps,” said Col. Katherine J. Estes, the camp commander of Camps Foster and Lester, and the Headquarters and Service Battalion commander, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. “By opening the gates to people of the Japanese community, it gives them a chance to see who and what we are. I think it will do a lot in terms of shedding some light on some of the misconceptions that cause problems in our relationships.”
Better relationships and respect develop by encouraging cultural exchanges, sharing sports events, and other activities, according to Dr. Ray A. Welch, the camp director for Camps Foster and Lester. “With respect for each other comes understanding, and this helps us all to become better neighbors and establish life-long friendships.”
The Marines also hopes that this program expresses their gratitude to the community.
“We actually have a very close relationship with the Okinawan people, particularly with the four communities that border Camp Foster,” said Estes. “We have a lot of Marines and civilians who do great things in the community everyday, and we wanted an opportunity to showcase that. I wanted to provide an opportunity for the Japan YEG to understand a little bit more about the community and the economic impact that the bases have on Okinawa.”
The group visited the camp because the members have an interest in how the U.S. military functions as a business. From that perspective, the group gained a better understanding about the financial influence they have on Okinawa, according to Yuuki Kodama, a Japan YEG member and a graphic design business owner.
“We learned that the Okinawan and American militaries here are working together in a way that interests our organization because there is a lot to learn about the business relationships in play that can be mirrored in our endeavors as business owners,” said Kodama.
The Friends of Foster program aims to promote better community relationships between the U.S. armed forces and citizens of Okinawa, according to Welch.
“This is our chance to share true facts, true experiences, true likes and dislikes; our neighbors get a chance to see who we really are,” said Welch. “As the Okinawa saying goes, ‘Ichariba cho dei,’ which means ‘once we meet, we become brothers and sisters.’ I think that is the true meaning and objective of the Friends of Foster program.”
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.22.2013 03:09 |
| Story ID: | 103922 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ‘Friends of Foster’ program hosts Young Entrepreneurs Group, by CPT Adam Miller, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT