Maj. Gen. Robert B. Neller will hand over command of the 3rd Marine Division to Brig. Gen. James B. Laster during a ceremony Thursday at Camp Hansen.

Neller’s next assignment will be president of Marine Corps University in Quantico, Va.

Laster’s previous assignment was commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., and Eastern Recruiting Region.

He is a graduate of New Mexico Military Institute and Southwest Texas State University and holds a Master of Science degree in national strategy from the National War College.

Swine flu claims Okinawa manCAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A 57-year-old Okinawa man became the first person in Japan to die of swine flu, prefectural officials announced over the weekend.

The Ginowan resident also suffered from heart and kidney ailments, which could have contributed to his falling victim to the H1N1 flu strain.

Since Japan’s first swine flu case was confirmed in May, more than 5,000 cases have been reported, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

The man, who died Saturday, reportedly fell ill Aug. 9.

There have been 420 cases of swine flu on Okinawa, a spokeswoman for Okinawa’s H1N1 Flu Countermeasure Team said Monday.

Nine cases had been identified in the American military community as of July 17, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa spokesman Brian Davis said Monday.