USAGJ commander participates in a mochitsuki event

Col. Thomas Matelski, U.S. Army Garrison Japan commander, participates in a “mochitsuki” event hosted by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force on Dec. 21, 2019, at Camp Zama, Japan. 

During the traditional Japanese event, participants use a mallet to pound sweet rice into a rice cake, or “mochi,” to be eaten around the start of New Year festivities.

Matelski, his wife, Amy, and Command Sgt. Maj. Billy Norman were among community residents invited to attend the event with Col. Masayuki Amako, commander of the JGSDF Zama.