MCBJ welcomes first Japanese intern

Photo By Sgt. Michael Iams | Fumiya Sato, an undergraduate from Waseda University and newly-hired intern for Community Policy, Planning and Liaison Office (G-5), talks to Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, commanding general of Marine Corps Base Camp Butler and deputy commander MCBJ about his role as an intern.  

OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.06.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Michael Iams 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Fumiya Sato, an undergraduate student from Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, was the first applicant to pursue and be appointed a position as an intern in the Community Policy, Planning and Liaison Office (G-5) at Marine Corps Bases Japan.

The internship was established in July 2010 by MCBJ. The internship provides valuable on-the-job training and experience to qualified students from Okinawa and mainland Japan.

“When I came to MCB Butler from my position at Osaka University, I saw that there was a great opportunity to create an internship here,” said Dr. Robert D. Eldridge, deputy assistant chief of staff, G-5, who proposed the internship and helps administer it. “Across the whole command, people understood the value of having an internship program.”

To qualify for the internship, applicants are required to be a Japanese citizen enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, have good writing and speaking skills in both Japanese and English, be able to conduct quality research in both languages, be knowledgeable about political-military and alliance issues, show maturity and responsibility, possess good interpersonal skills and be committed to improving U.S.-Japan-Okinawan relations, according to the internship announcement.

The program allows the intern to assist the G-5 staff with community relations, outreach events, base visits and other programs.

“I would also like Sato-san to come up with some things he would like to do to help the Marine Corps,” said Eldridge. “If he sees gaps in what we are doing or how we are doing it, he can provide insight from a young Japanese prospective and prepare suggestions and ways to implement those ideas.”

Sato, who relocated to Okinawa from Tokyo for the program, said he was interested in the Marines and what their role is in the region.

“I saw stories about the Marines in Okinawa, but I also saw that there were some people opposing the Marine presence,” Sato said. “This made me want to know more about what’s happening on Okinawa.”

Sato found a story about the program and contacted the G-5 to learn more about it, and what he would be doing.

“I was reading a newspaper one day in Tokyo and came across an article introducing this internship program,” said Sato. “I was intrigued by it and sent an e-mail to Dr. Eldridge asking about it.”

Sato is majoring in security studies, and submitted a recommendation letter from his academic advisor along with his application. He has taken a one-year leave of absence to participate in the internship.

“We are going to learn a lot from Mr. Sato’s thoughts and insights,” stated Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, commanding general of Marine Corps Base Camp Butler and deputy commander for MCBJ, who met with Sato last month after he started the internship.

Sato plans to use the knowledge and experience he gains from the internship to help him achieve his future goals.

“After I graduate from my university, I plan to apply for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Defense,” said Sato. “The year I spend here will be very helpful for me when I apply.”

Should he follow that course, Sato would probably be the first-ever applicant to the Foreign Ministry or Defense Ministry to have such an experience, according to Eldridge.

“We believe Sato’s being here will cause more and more students to take notice of the internship,” Eldridge added.

For more information, contact the Community Policy, Planning, and Liaison Office at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 05.06.2011
• Date Posted: 05.05.2011 21:12
• Story ID: 69940
• Location: OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JP