We Are Tomodachi Winter 2018

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22Long-Lasting Kizuna with U.S. Military PersonnelGen. Richard Bowman MyersFormer Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Former Commander of U.S. Forces, Japan; President of Kansas State UniversityThe Japan-U.S. relationship is the cornerstone of the peace and stability in Asia-Pacific. At any given time, more than 50,000 U.S. military men and women are stationed in Japan who along with their family members total 100,000 residents. The strong kizuna (bonds) made between them and Japanese people during their service in Japan are making the Japan-U.S. relationship very special. “This bilateral relationship is underpinned by grass-roots friendship between the people of the two countries,” says General Richard Bowman Myers, stressing the importance of maintaining such special kizuna even after American military personnel and their families leave Japan. In this context, he says the idea of Japan US Military Program (JUMP), through which they can stay connected with the Japanese people and society, is great. Ambassador James Zumwalt, who is leading JUMP in the capacity of CEO of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA , delves into what the Japan-U.S. friendship and JUMP are all about.After the March 11 earthquake that struck the Tohoku region in 2011, U.S. Forces, Japan launched Operation Tomodachi (“Operation Friend”) to help rescue and provide support for the victims.©DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Steve Acuff, U.S. Marine Corps.