The Marine Corps’ top officer stopped on Okinawa on Wednesday as part of a series of visits to Marine Corps installations around the world, a Marine spokesman said Thursday.

Gen. James T. Conway, who became the 34th commandant in November, and the sergeant major of the Marine Corps were scheduled to visit with III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan Marines and sailors while here.

According to a Marine Corps Times report, Conway also was to meet with Japanese Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma; Adm. Takashi Saito, chief of staff of the Joint Staff Office of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces; and Gen. Tsutomu Mori, chief of staff for Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Forces chief of staff.

The Okinawa visit was scheduled to conclude Friday.

Aquarium offers deep-sea symposiumCAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, a world-class aquarium in the Okinawa Expo Park in Motobu, was to host an international symposium on deep-sea creatures this weekend.

The free program — open to the public and with simultaneous translations in English — is titled, “Into the Unknown: Researching Mysterious Deep-Sea Animals.” Scientists from the United States, Brazil, New Zealand, Norway and Japan are to take part. Research reports and a discussion session were to be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

From 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, three scientists are to lecture on various marine animals living in Okinawa’s waters, deep-sea mysteries and how human activities are damaging the deep-sea environment.

All sessions will be held in the event hall. No reservations are required.

Chili’s restaurant coming to SaseboSASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — A Chili’s restaurant is slated to open on Sasebo’s main base in about a year, according to the base commander.

The restaurant, an American chain that features southwestern and Tex-Mex fare, will be on the first floor of the building that holds Galaxies, according to Capt. Tilghman Payne.

It will seat about 200 people and offer takeout as well, the commander said at a base town hall meeting this week.

The military’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation department will pay for the project, according to Ken Taylor, who works at the base’s MWR office. No estimated cost currently is available, he said.

Chili’s locations have opened on military bases in Okinawa and South Korea in recent years.

Oriental rug sale set for YokosukaYOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — More than 100 Oriental carpets and rugs will be auctioned at the Yokosuka Officer’s Club on March 3 in an event sponsored by Takusan Treasures and Asran Rugs.

The carpets and rugs have been imported from Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Kashmir and other Central Asian regions. Each comes with a certificate of authenticity, provenance and replacement value.

Proceeds from the sale will go to Yokosuka Officer’s Spouses Club for distribution to charities. Viewing begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Officer’s Club. The auction begins at 4 p.m. Door prizes include giveaways of rugs worth $1,500 and $700. There will be an open bar and appetizers will be served. For more information, call DSN 243-3357.