Migration News
Military, civilians join for colorful concert near Yokota
February 25, 2016
A member of the Yokota Air Base Samurai Taiko Team waits to perform during the Japan-U.S. Joint Concert at Kotori Hall in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 20, 2016. The North Kanto Defense Bureau hosts the annual event to help foster better relationships between Japanese citizens and U.S. servicemembers. (Michael Washburn/U.S. Air Force)
A member of the Yokota Air Base Samurai Taiko Team waits to perform during the Japan-U.S. Joint Concert at Kotori Hall in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 20, 2016. The North Kanto Defense Bureau hosts the annual event to help foster better relationships between Japanese citizens and U.S. servicemembers. (Michael Washburn/U.S. Air Force)
Dancers from Fumi Dance Academy twirl around during the Japan-U.S. Joint Concert at Kotori Hall in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 20, 2016. The Yokota Dance Company from Yokota Air Base also performed in the annual concert. (Michael Washburn/U.S. Air Force)
Members of the Fumi Dance Academy perform during the Japan-U.S. Joint Concert at Kotori Hall in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 20, 2016. The school caters to ballet, hip hop and jazz styles. (Michael Washburn/U.S. Air Force)
Yokota Dance Company dancers perform during the Japan-U.S. Joint Concert at Kotori Hall in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 20, 2016. The company from Yokota Air Base accepts student from ages 2 to adult with any level of dance experience. (Michael Washburn/U.S. Air Force)
A member of Tokyo Metropolitan Haijima High School Light Music Club plucks her bass guitar during the Japan-U.S. Joint Concert at Kotori Hall in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 20, 2016. The North Kanto Defense Bureau hosted the event to help foster better relationships between Japanese citizens and U.S. servicemembers. (Michael Washburn/U.S. Air Force)
Senior Airman Maritzaida Amador from the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia sings during the Japan-U.S. Joint Concert at Kotori Hall in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 20, 2016. (Michael Washburn/U.S. Air Force)
Staff Sgt. Gregory Pflugh of the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia plays his guitar during the Japan-U.S. Joint Concert at Kotori Hall in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 20, 2016. The band, also known as Pacific Trends, closed out the event with a final song that included all of the other performers. (Michael Washburn/U.S. Air Force)
The Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia performs a final song with all other performers during the Japan-U.S. Joint Concert at Kotori Hall in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 20, 2016. The North Kanto Defense Bureau hosted the event to help foster better relationships between Japanese citizens and U.S. servicemembers. (Michael Washburn/U.S. Air Force)
Musicians, singers and dancers from Yokota Air Base and surrounding communities united for an annual performance in western Tokyo.
This year’s Japan-U.S. Joint Concert, hosted by the North Kanto Defense Bureau, took place Sunday at Kotori Hall in Akishima. Performers included the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Dance Company, Yokota Air Base Samurai Taiko Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Haijima High School Light Music Club, Fumi Dance Academy and the Suwajinjya Miyazawa-daiko drum team.
“We have hosted [the concerts] since 2008 to encourage deeper exchange among U.S. servicemembers, their families and people living around Yokota Air Base,” Kazuto Tsutsui, an officials with the NKDB, said in an Air Force statement.
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