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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 5, 2017. The visit marked the first time Trump came to Japan as president. DONALD HUDSON/U.S. AIR FORCE
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Trump set to become first world leader to greet new Japanese emperor

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will be the first state guests of the new Japanese emperor after he takes the throne next month, Japan’s government announced Friday.
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Did you know?: Prefectures with many small islands

According to the Japan Coast Guard, Okinawa has 363 islands whose outer perimeters are 0.1km or longer.
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam memorialized Tina, Jeff, that guy who steals your phone every year and other former Cyberawareness Challenge characters. JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM TWITTER
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'Live on in Valhalla': The internet pays tribute to departed Cyber Awareness Challenge characters

Familiar characters Tina, Jeff and that guy who steals your phone every year are among the longtime stalwarts missing from the latest version of the Cyber Awareness Challenge, the Department of Defense’s annual computer security training.
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Stripes Egg Hunt will end on April 21! Hint for Mainland Japan

Stars and Stripes‘ Egg Hunt Promotion will end on April 21 on Facebook!
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Camp Fuji Friendship Festival May 11

Friends of Fuji! Please mark your calendars, May 11th from 11a.m. till 8:30 p.m. We will be hosting a free event open to all DOD ID card holders and Japanese citizens.
A Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A soars over Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 2, 2017. BRITTANY CHASE/U.S. AIR FORCE
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Officials dismiss speculation that rival nations might try to salvage downed Japanese F-35A

<p>Speculation about foreign nations racing to find the wreckage of a downed F-35A stealth fighter in the Far East appears unfounded, according to U.S. and Japanese officials.</p>
An airman assigned to Kadena Air Base was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in Chatan, Okinawa, Wednesday, April 17, 2019. COURTESY OF PIXABAY
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Okinawa-based airman arrested in suspected drunken-driving crash that injured two

An airman assigned to Kadena Air Base was arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of drunken driving after his vehicle rear-ended a motorcycle and injured two people, police said Thursday.
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Look what's happening on your base!

Editor's note: Many events, trips, classes, games, and much more are happening on base, so take a look! Events are as accurate as possible at press time. Since times or event schedules can change, please verify events before attending. (This was updated Apr. 18)
Firefighters with Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni Fire Department conduct escalator rescue drills at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, April 9, 2019. The firefighters used an escalator in the old Marine Corps exchange because the building is slated for demolition later this year. This was a unique training experience for the firefighters because many had never conducted escalator rescue drills mostly due to high repair costs that come with the training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)
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Deescalating future escalator incidents from escalating into heartbreaking tragedies

Since this type of training can destroy an escalator, firefighters saw the upcoming demolition as an opportunity to jump on some uncommon training without the escalator requiring a repair. This was also a rare training event because there aren’t many military installations in Japan that have escalators.
Okinawa residents who had sued over aircraft noise from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma walk toward Fukuoka High Court Naha Branch, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. AYA ICHIHASHI/STARS AND STRIPES
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Japanese high court reduces monetary award for Futenma noise lawsuit plaintiffs by $3 million

A high court in Japan reduced the monetary award Tuesday for Okinawa residents who had sued over aircraft noise in the area surrounding Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
A sign near the Kadena Air Base flight line welcomes arrivals to the home of the 18th Wing in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 17, 2018. AARON KIDD/STARS AND STRIPES
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Investigation underway after airman fails to report back to Okinawa-based unit

<p>The Air Force is investigating after an airman failed to report back to his unit at Kadena Air Base.</p>
Japanese and American guests gather in the recreational play zone for the grand opening of the Misawa Kids Center SORAIE in Misawa City, Japan, April 9, 2019. The play zone is one of many rooms offered in the facility and is open from 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Sunday, excluding Tuesday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany A. Chase)
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New Misawa City kid's center connects American and Japanese youngsters

Misawa Air Base and City officials gathered for the grand opening of the Misawa Kids Center SORAIE, held April 9.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald is moored pierside at Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Miss., Tuesday, April 16, 2019. COURTESY OF U.S. NAVY
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USS Fitzgerald leaves dry dock nearly two years after fatal collision

The USS Fitzgerald left dry dock Tuesday in Pascagoula, Miss., nearly two years after a collision that killed seven sailors, according to a Navy statement.
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Did you know?: Deigo official Okinawan flower

The deigo, or tiger’s claw, was named the official flower of Okinawa in 1972. Deigo trees are normally in bloom around mid-April through May. Around that time, the red  flowers of the trees can be seen at places like Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park in Okinawa City, or Peace Memorial Park in Itoman City.
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Army & Air Force Exchange Service salutes cutest military pets with Patriot Pet Photo Contest

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service, along with Blue Buffalo pet food, is once again hosting the Patriot Pet Just Say “Treat” Photo Contest.
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Speakin' Japanese: Golden words

In Japan, a string of four consecutive national holidays sandwiched between two weekends (Apr. 27 to May 6) is simply called Golden Week. If you are out and about during this travel crazy week, here’s some ways to strike up a conversation.