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- [Narrator] The Single Marine Program

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aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan offers

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opportunities to single and unaccompanied service members

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to experience Japanese culture and traditions.

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A more recent opportunity connected service members

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with local Japanese volunteers

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to learn how to wear a kimono.

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- Events like these do make me feel closer

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to the Japanese people, mostly because

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we're really interacting with them

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and stabilizing a good relationship with them.

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- [Narrator] For service members on the Air Station,

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it might be challenging to interact with Japanese people

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out in town because of the language barrier.

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Shinjiro Kikuko is a retiree who volunteered her time

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to come onto the Air Station to interact with

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and demonstrate how to wear kimonos to Marines.

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She says it's a way to help them develop

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an understanding of Japanese culture.

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For many service members, this was their first time

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trying on kimonos, and she felt excited

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to talk to the Marines.

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(foreign language)

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- [Translator] I want to make food

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and peaceful relationships with US service members

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who come to Japan and want to learn Japanese.

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I'd like for everyone to harmonize to one circle.

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That's the most important thing, I believe.

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- [Narrator] For Marines stationed here,

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events like these plant the seeds

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for cultural enrichment out in town.

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- It's a pretty interesting culture.

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I like it.

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I like the food and the sightseeing and everything.

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It's nice.

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- [Narrator] While trying on garments,

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service members enjoyed sushi and good company.

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Reporting for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan,

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I'm Marine Corporal Calvin Hilt.