OKINAWA

Community News

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Be respectful! Tomb visiting season begins April 4 in Okinawa

Starting late March through April, you would see banners and flags with the word “清明祭” at local supermarkets on the island.

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Upcoming events on bases in Okinawa

There are some great events coming up in Okinawa!

Photo Of Community members skate around the Kadena Air Base roller rink, during its grand re-opening.

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Kadena re-opens base roller rink

Kadena celebrated the reopening of its historic roller rink, March 21, with live music, food, and fun.

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“Asteroids and Planetary Defense” Month of the Military Child event

Embry-Riddle & USA Girl Scouts Overseas Celebrate Month of the Military Child with a Virtual Presentation and In- Person Workshops presenting on ‘Asteroids and Planetary Defense’

Photo Of National Vietnam War Veterans Day

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Okinawa Exchange brings military community together to honor Vietnam War heroes

As a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, the Okinawa Exchange will host a pinning ceremony for the final time at the Foster Exchange at 1000 on 29 March to honor and recognize Vietnam War-era Veterans.

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Time to pay up! It's road tax season on Okinawa!

When April comes around, it’s time to pay up in Japan. Road tax payment needs to be made between April and May. 

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Grab your gear and join the Camp Schwab Warrior Challenge on April 5

April isn’t only the perfect time to hit Okinawa’s beautiful beaches, it’s also time to get athletic!

Photo Of Image of The Meat and Potatoes of Life. The photo of Lisa Smith Molinari is used.

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Military families hit harder by inflation than civilians

Today’s military families are paying at least three times as much for groceries and gas as they did 25 years ago. How did we get here?Today’s military families are paying at least three times as much for groceries and gas as they did 25 years ago. How did we get here?

Photo Of U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kevin Dolino, a training clerk with S-3, Training, Plans, and Operations, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, records the height of Cpl. Osvaldo Hernandez, a postal clerk with Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Postal, during a height/weight measurement on Camp Foster, Okinawa.

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50 US Marines with H&S Bn, MCIPAC, complete a readiness inspection: CGRI 2025

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kevin Dolino, a training clerk with S-3, Training, Plans, and Operations, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, records the height of Cpl. Osvaldo Hernandez, a postal clerk with Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Postal, during a height/weight measurement on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, March 19, 2024.

Photo Of Participants run through a cloud of colored powder during the Army Emergency Relief campaign 5K Color Run at Torii Station, Okinawa, Japan, March 15, 2025.

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USAG Okinawa kicks off AER campaign in the rain

U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa kicked off its Army Emergency Relief campaign with a 5K Color Run on March 15, despite rainy conditions.

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Ssssssneaky Sssssnakes! Watch out for Okinawa’s venomous habu

You may not believe this, but I once saw a habu beat a mongoose in a cross-species duel when I was a kid.

Photo Of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tristan Merritt, 82nd Reconnaissance Squadron electronic warfare journeyman, enters an RC-135 Rivet Joint at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 18, 2025.

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The watchful eye of Kadena AB, Okinawa

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tristan Merritt, 82nd Reconnaissance Squadron electronic warfare journeyman, enters an RC-135 Rivet Joint at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 18, 2025.

Photo Of A man without a shirt, with his hands full of tattoos.

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Pacific Tattoo: Tattoo regulations in the military

If you are an active-duty service member and are considering getting a tattoo, be sure to inform yourself of the rules and regulations. Here is an overview of current military tattoo policies. 

Photo Of participants are holding their hands and praying.

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Devastation, victims of 3/11 East Japan Earthquake remembered in Hachinohe 14 years later

Hachinohe residents gathered on Tanesashi Beach on March 11 to remember the victims and devastation on the 14th anniversary of the East Japan Earthquake.

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