Serving the U.S. Army Japan community

www.torii.army.milVOL. 39, NO. 37September 22, 2011

2 News 6 Community 11 Calendar 4 Community 8 Sports 12 Culture

INSIDE the TORII

Photo by Dustin Perry

Come out swingingYoshihisa Tonimura, left, faces Charlie Ota during their Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super welterweight title match, the main event of Camp Zama’s Pa-cific Boxing Showdown, held Sunday at Yano Fitness Center here. The event featured seven OPBF fights and an exhibition. For more on this story, see Page 8.

WASHINGTON – The message to in-surgents was made clear by a senior official from the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command as he spoke to Pen-tagon reporters Thursday.

“We’re not going to abandon Afghani-stan,” said British army Maj. Gen. Tim Evans, chief of staff for the International Joint Command headquarters. “And even past 2014 there’s talk of the strategic part-nership [where] we will be giving support to the people of Afghanistan.

“We are going to be here to [2014] and

NATO undeterred by insurgent attacksBy Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone Marshall Jr.American Forces Press Service

beyond,” he added. “We are determined to work toward our goal of ridding Afghanistan of these terrorist sanctuaries.”

Recent insurgent attacks in Afghanistan include the Sept. 13 assaults on the U.S. Embassy and other targets in Kabul, and the truck bomb that exploded Sept. 10 near a combat outpost in Wardak province, wounding 77 U.S. Soldiers and killing five Afghans, including a child.

Such attacks have been ineffective, Ev-ans said, noting the insurgents have resorted to such high-profile assaults to “exaggerate their influence.”

The insurgents “are trying to get media attention with such attacks and undermine

the confidence of Afghan security forces and the international community,” he said. “These sorts of attacks have the opposite effect, and just stiffen our resolve.”

In Kabul, Afghan security forces “dealt with the situation with minimal ISAF as-sistance demonstrating, once again, that they do have the capability to do so,” Evans added.

Evans attributed the “spectacular” attack in Kabul and other recent attacks to the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

“We do believe they were trying to do an attack on the anniversary,” he said. Special operations forces and Afghan special forces actually thwarted a number of attacks.

ISAF has ramped up efforts to dismantle and defeat terrorist networks throughout the country, the general said.

“Over the past year, we have consciously decided to take the fight to the insurgents,” he said. “We have relentlessly pursued them, seized the initiative, and focused our efforts on targeting the insurgents’ command and control, their support bases and infiltration routes.

“Our special forces, in partnership and often led by Afghan special forces, have had a dramatic effect on capturing or kill-ing hundreds of the mid-level insurgent

See NATO, Page 2

2 September 22, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.milNEWS

Zama Briefs

Driving remindersAll DoD cardholders and master labor

contract employees must comply with the following regulations when driving on U.S. military installations in Japan:

• Bicycle riders must wear an approved helmet with the chin strap fastened at all times. Riders must comply with traffic regulations, which include stopping at stop signs and yielding the right-of-way when required.

• The use of headphones or earphones while driving, walking, jogging, skating or bicycling on installation roads and streets is prohibited.

• Operators of two-wheeled cycles propelled by a motor must wear the required personal protection equipment as follows: Riders will wear helmets that are properly fastened under the chin, and the helmet must meet approved safety standards, which can be identified by locating the certification tag within the helmet shell.

• Riders will wear shatter-resistant goggles or a full face shield that is properly attached to the helmet. The windscreen alone does not meet the proper eye protection requirement.

• Riders will wear a long-sleeve shirt or jacket, full-length trousers and full-fingered gloves or mittens. Leather boots or over-the-ankle shoes must be worn. A brightly colored outer garment must be worn during the day and a reflective upper garment must be worn at night and during times of reduced visibility.

• All motor vehicle operators must wear a seatbelt.

• Refrain from drinking heavily the night before your work day. Remember that one alcoholic beverage will render the average-sized individual legally drunk under Japanese law.

• All drivers must come to a full and complete stop at yield and stop signs when crossing traffic is present.

Army Suggestion ProgramThe Army Suggestion Program,

previously known as the Army Ideas for Excellence Program, has gone online. The new suggestion-processing program was unveiled on Army Knowledge Online.

Anyone with an AKO username and password can now submit suggestions electronically. Detailed guidance is provided at https://armysuggestions.army.mil.

There are several advantages to this program, the biggest one being that anyone with access to the Internet can make a suggestion from wherever they are. There is no longer a need to wait until you return to your home station to write and submit an idea. Once submitted, the suggestion is processed entirely online.

For further information, contact program administrator Keith Simon via email at keith.simon@us.army.mil or by phone at 263-5129. An alternate point of contact is Masao Naito, who can be contacted via email at masao.naito@us.army.mil or by phone at 263-5634.

leadership,” Evans added.“We’re aware of the challenges that still

face Afghanistan, but we are seeing signs of progress,” he said. “The peoples’ trust in their security forces and the government of Afghanistan does continue to grow.”

Evans cited security gains as “instru-mental in generating opportunities for progress.”

“We’ve seen this quite clearly in central Helmand and Kandahar [provinces],” Evans said. “We are on the offensive, exploiting our gains and trying to strengthen the local governance and protecting their popula-tion. And we’re going to build upon this momentum.”

He also acknowledged it isn’t solely a tactical endeavor to stabilize the country and facilitate transition.

“We’re seeing some key improvements

NATO, from Page 1 in governance and development,” Evans said. “Afghans are now voting in local elections. For example, a year ago Marja was a Taliban stronghold.”

Evans cited the elections as an example of coalition success, with citizens electing new leadership last spring.

“There are also now currently more than 26,000 elected community councils across Afghanistan, which support local community-driven development proj-ects, including road building, electricity generation and irrigation,” he said. “The merit-based hiring system, civil-service job fairs and representative shuras have also strengthened and increased the capacity of local governance and weakened corruption across the country.”

Evans also cited a 300,000-strong force of Afghan security forces helping complete the first phase of transition.

“This represents a significant increase

over the 90,000 that were gained in 2010,” he said. “So there has been positive prog-ress, particularly on the part of our Afghan partners. We have built up a momentum that we will maintain in the future.

“We acknowledge that this is not going to be easy; we do not underestimate our task,” Evans continued. “But we do have the right strategy, the initiative, the momentum, and the Afghans are certainly up for it.”

Evans commended ISAF forces for training and mentoring Afghan security forces that will provide security for about 7 million people – a quarter of the Afghan population – with the completion of the first phase.

“The Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Airwomen are doing a sterling job out here in Afghanistan,” he said. “But we [have to] make sure we remain steadfast and have the resolve to make sure we see this mission through, and support the Afghan people.”

Photo by Sgt. Catherine ThreatA U.S. Soldier maintains security and returns fire as rain falls during an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sept. 13.

INSIGHTwww.torii.army.mil

This Army-funded newspaper is an authorized publication for the members of the Army community in Japan in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1. Contents of the TORII are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsement by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the U.S. Army Garrison Japan command. It is published weekly by the TORII staff of the USAG-J HNR/Public Affairs office, APO, AP 96343-0054, phone 315-263-5978.

This publication, with a weekly circulation of 2,000, is printed by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo. All photos are U.S. Army photographs unless otherwise indicated. The newspaper uses military news services including American Forces Press Service and Army News Service.

Story and photo submissions not pertaining to commercial advertising may be sent to the USAG-J HNR/PAO TORII Office at least two weeks prior to the desired publication date. The TORII is distributed every Thursday. Submissions may be e-mailed to the editor at dustin.perry@us.army.mil. The editor reserves the right not to publish submissions not in accordance with Army Public Affairs regulations and standard operating procedures. Editorial offices are located in room A-208, Bldg. 102, South Camp Zama, Japan.

T RII Newspaper Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Michael T. Harrison Sr.Garrison Commander: Col. Eric D. TilleyActing Garrison Public Affairs Officer: Dustin PerryEditor: Dustin PerryStaff Writer: Tetsuo NakaharaDeputy Okinawa Bureau Chief: Lauren Hall

TORII September 22, 2011 3

Sound Off!Do you have a concern or an issue on your mind? Are you seeking a channel for your voice to be heard? Look no further. The Torii welcomes all letters regarding

issues or concerns involving the Camp Zama community as a whole. Critical letters should offer suggestions for resolutions as applicable. Letters or e-mails must be signed, but names will be withheld in publication upon request. The Torii will protect the names of its sources if they so desire.

Letters may be edited for content and length according to the Associated Press Stylebook and the Torii Style Guide.If you would like to have your voice heard in the Torii, e-mail your letters to the editor at dustin.perry@us.army.mil, or send by regular mail to:

HNR / Public AffairsU.S. Army Garrison JapanATTN: TORII EditorUnit 45005, IMPC-JA-HNR/PAAPO AP 96338

IMCOM messageLt. Gen. Rick LynchCommander, Installation Management Command

When I talk with garrison professionals who work in suicide prevention, they all have stories about the person who really made them realize the importance of what they do.

There was the Soldier who seemed to have it all together, until one day he asked a course instructor, “When you’re driving home, do you think about wrapping your car around a tree?” The civilian supervisor with a stressful, high-visibility job, who did not want to attend the mandatory suicide-prevention training because he did not want to admit to himself his own thoughts about suicide. The family member who felt desperately alone and overwhelmed during another deployment.

Most of the stories have happy endings – the people received the help they needed.

When they didn’t, it was a hard, hard loss. Losing someone to suicide is doubly painful and confusing, as those left behind not only deal with the absence of their friend, loved one or co-worker, but also with guilt and questions of what could have been done.

September is Army Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide prevention is an institutional Army program, focused on this urgent is-sue year-round, but this month the Army intensifies its efforts to make sure every Soldier, civilian and family member knows what resources are available to help those in need.

The Army has developed “Ask, Care, Escort” training to equip everyone to take care of a person at the point of crisis until a professional can assist. It is available through the garrison Suicide Prevention

Program, as well as the Army’s Suicide Prevention website, www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/default.asp.

A number of other resources provide help with issues that can put a person at risk for suicide. These resources include the Army Substance Abuse Program, Army Commu-nity Service’s Financial Readiness Program, the Family Advocacy Program, military and family life consultants, Behavioral Health, Soldier and Family Assistance Centers, and unit and garrison chaplains.

Looking at the bigger picture, the Army has expanded the resources aimed at strengthening the overall resilience and well-being of our Army family. More training is now available through the Com-prehensive Soldier Fitness Program, which focuses on physical, emotional, social, family and spiritual strength.

The Army’s commitment to suicide prevention has resulted in some real policy and program changes that have reduced the number of people at risk. But as long as any member of the Army family views suicide as a viable option, we still have work to do. From the Installation Management side we are strengthening programs that provide

critical support. This includes hiring more ASAP counselors and suicide-prevention program managers for installations world-wide, and revising the Total Army Sponsor-ship Program to help transitioning Soldiers, civilians and families build stronger connec-tions with their new communities.

One key component to successful Army prevention efforts is fully engaged, com-mitted leadership. Great leaders create a culture in which people observe standards and discipline, and also get to know and care about each other. They make sure policies are enforced, programs are run correctly and everyone gets the training they need to watch out for those around them.

Most critically, great leaders get out the message that it is a sign of strength to ask for help. We will keep repeating that every which way – in formations, during stand-down days, on Facebook, in print, on radio and TV, at FRG meetings, at community events – until we have no more cause for saying it.

Every positive outcome starts with one person reaching out to another and finding strength and hope together. We are the Army family and we take care of each other.

Disaster relief in Japan relates to joint Air Missile Defense missionBy 1st Lt. Hunter Macdonald1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment

On March 19, the 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artil-lery Regiment, sent 33 Soldiers from Okinawa to mainland Japan in support of Operation Tomodachi, the disaster relief mission in support of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami from which the northeast coast of Japan is still recovering.

Those of us who volunteered experienced great excite-ment mixed with uncertainty. We did not know how long the mission would last, where we would be stationed, who we would be assigned to, or even what we would be doing. In the end, we, along with the other members of Logistics Task Force 35 and our sister services, were gone for roughly 45 days and made extraordinary progress at Sendai Airport and Ishinomaki.

Even though the Soldiers who volunteered to go did not perform a mission targeted toward their individual military occupational specialty, we each took away a few lessons relating to our air defense mission on Okinawa. We

all got firsthand experience reacting quickly to a new and changing situation, operating in a joint environment, and dealing with contaminants in a foreign country.

The changing nature of our deployment created a lot of issues as time went on, and we had to remain flexible in order to deal with new developments which eventually framed our mission. We started by tracking the qualifications of assigned Soldiers and placed them where they were able to use their skills. We also developed a solid logistics program early on due to the uncertainty regarding the length of the mission. But most importantly, the unit leadership learned the importance of creating a mobile base of operations, since our presence in the area of operations was based on the requirements of the Japanese government.

Similarly, our battalion’s mission in Okinawa requires the flexibility to assume the directed alert state quickly, operate for lengthy amounts of time on short supply, and potentially relocate to a new fighting position. It is essential in our training to always consider how we would operate in a wartime environment.

For the battle rosters, crews should be based on not

only Gunnery Certifications, but how the battery will run 24-hour operations. This is especially important with pend-ing troop reductions. Logistical operations are a concern when batteries deploy across the island of Okinawa, mak-ing convoy operations an important piece of our Warrior Leader Time Training. The batteries could also benefit from lessons regarding vehicle movement in an off-base foreign environment, experiencing a variety of traffic conditions and terrain.

As Operation Tomodachi developed further, we realized the benefits and challenges of working with a diverse task force. Our Soldiers worked side by side with Marines, Airmen, Sailors, and foreign militaries led by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force. We quickly learned that com-munication was the key to ensuring everything ran smoothly. Operating in a joint environment also gave us the opportunity to share resources, such as utilizing Japanese bases to refuel our convoys and Marine detachments to run decontamina-tion operations. This development proved crucial because

See MISSION, Page 9

COMMUNITY4 September 22, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil

SCHOOL NEWS

Community children play at ‘Day for Kids’ By Tetsuo NakaharaTorii Staff

More than a 100 children from the Camp Zama community spent the day playing with their friends and parents during a “Day for Kids” event held Saturday at the Youth Center here and hosted by the Boys & Girls Club and Child, Youth & School Services.

Day for Kids is an annual Boys & Girls Club celebration that takes place across the world. It encourages active play between young people and for every American to play a part in ensuring a brighter future for young people by motivating them to lead a healthy lifestyle.

“Our main intent is to get all the com-munity members out,” said Robert Chance from CYSS. “This is a day for the kids, so I want them to enjoy it along with their parents as much as possible.”

Various activities, games and entertain-ment were available everywhere inside and outside the Youth Center, giving par-ticipants a wide variety of fun from which to choose. Activities included a water bal-loon toss, face painting, a bicycle race and also dance performances from local dance team, Jewel.

Members from the Camp Zama Keystone and Boys & Girls clubs played a significant role as volunteers at the event, helping to ensure all the events and activities ran smoothly.

“It’s better to have younger people volunteering than older people when with little kids,” said Andrew Baac, president of the Camp Zama Keystone Club. “It’s really fun to be here; we like volunteering. It’s re-ally fun to get involved in the community, have more projects, and getting together as a community.”

Some community members escorted

Japanese children onto the installation to attend the event.

“You see these Japanese kids come in and they may not be used to an American environment, but when we start to talk to them in Japanese and English, they start smiling,” said Baac.

The Family Morale, Welfare and Rec-reation Division sponsored a door prize giveaway that included toys, games and entertainment tickets for both children and adults.

“It’s a fantastic event for the families on base that allows all the kids to get together,

because they may not have many opportuni-ties to meet like this,” said Sheryl Porter, a family member. “The new Youth Center is also absolutely beautiful. Whenever we come here, we can never believe how it compares to the old center and what a wonderful improvement it is.”

Photo by Tetsuo NakaharaDelfo Porter plays a pinball game with help from Andrew Baac, right, president of the Camp Zama Keystone Club, during the Boys & Girls Club’s “Day for Kids,” hosted by Child, Youth & School Services and held Saturday at the Youth Center here.

Zama Child Development Center: 263-4992

SHA Child Development Center: 267-6348

Registration: To register your child or for more information please stop by the CYS Central Enrollment Registry Office in Bldg. 533 on Camp Zama, or call 263-4125 or SAS at 267-6013.

John O. Arnn Elementary: 267-6602

Your child or someone else’s may qualify for Preschool Services for Children with Disabilities (PSCD). Screenings for children ages 3 to 5 are held twice a month at AES to locate and identify children who may have developmental delays. Call Arnn Elementary School at 267-6602 to make an appointment if you suspect your child has a delay in language, physical, cognitive, social or adaptive behavior development. For children under 3 years of age, you can call EDIS at 267-6545 to schedule an appointment.

Student registration: The school registration process continues at Arnn for newly arrived families and for those who have kindergarten-aged children.

Arnn Elementary is a pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade school for those families who are command-sponsored by U.S. Army Garrison – Japan and its affiliated units. Please hand-carry the following documents at time of registration: Orders of sponsor (orders must have the children’s names on the orders), updated copy of child’s immunization

records; student’s passport or birth certificate, letter of employment, updated contact information, parent’s identification card, and previous school records, if applicable.

New student orientation: Arnn Elementary School will be hosting its annual New Student Orientation beginning at 3 p.m. Aug. 18 in the school’s cafeteria. The orientation is designed for students attending Arnn for the first time to come and learn about the educational programs and receive a tour of the school.

Zama American Middle School: 263-4040

Visit the Web at www.zama-ms.pac.dodea.edu/ for information pertaining to Zama American Middle School.

Zama American High School: 263-3181

The ZAHS tennis team will begin practicing at 3:30 p.m. today at the campus tennis courts. In order to practice, players must have a current power of attorney, physical and signed copy of the high school athletic contract. For more information, contact Wanda Finley via email at wanda.finley@pac.dodea.edu or by phone at 263-3181.

Visit the Web at www.zama-hs.pac.dodea.edu/ for information pertaining to Zama American High School.

Child, Youth and School Services: 263-4500

COMMUNITYTORII September 22, 2011 5www.torii.army.mil

Photos by Tetsuo NakaharaTarget Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon leads the No. 9 Target Honda Dallara to its second win of the 2011 season of the Indy 300 during the Indy Japan Final held Sunday at Twin Ring Motegi. Camp Zama Cub Scouts and Boys Scouts from Pack and Troop 34 attended the race and had the chance to meet some of the drivers.

By Tetsuo NakaharaTorii Staff

Camp Zama’s Pack 34 visits Indy Race at Twin Ring Motegi

As the engine sounds of racecars driving at full speed sliced through the air, members of Camp Zama’s Cub Scout Pack 34 and Boy Scout Troop 34 watched with wide-eyed excitement the dynamic action of Indy racing during the Indy Japan Final held Sunday at Twin Ring Motegi in Tochigi Prefecture.

The Boy Scouts of America invited Cub Scout and Boy Scout members from Camp Zama and Atsugi, along with family members, to Motegi to see the final Indy 300 race in Japan. More than 80 people from the organization attended the event.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea by the Boy Scouts of America,” said Steve Martin, a leader of Camp Zama’s Pack 34. “We were all able to be here at this Indy car race, something some of us would not be able to see in the states or anywhere else. And this event actually allowed us to see the cars up close and meet the driver of the Boy Scout car.”

In addition to meeting Sebastien Bourdais of the Boy Scouts of America team, the group also met Ryan Hunter-Rey, of Team DHL/Circle K/Sun Drop Citrus Soda, prior to the race. They also visited the Boy Scouts of America’s team paddock to see how a real Indy car gets tuned up before a race.

Indy Japan had been part of the Indy Racing League for

14 years, however, it was announced that this was the last year for the series to be held in Motegi. Since the March 11 earthquake damaged the oval at Twin Ring, the 63-lap race was held on the recently repaved 14-turn, 2.9-mile road circuit.

The Scouts watched the race together from the stands. Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon piloted the No. 9 Target Honda Dallara to its second win of the 2011 season, and Team Penske’s Will Power finished second.

“I think it was really fun and exciting to see an Indy race,” said Reginald Reynolds II, a member of Troop 34. “It was also really exciting to see the racecar at the pad-dock because I’ve never been able to get that close to a real racecar before.”

Members of Camp Zama’s Cub Scout Pack 34 and Boy Scout Troop 34 visit the Boy Scouts of America’s team paddock to get a look at the car before Sunday’s race.

Two professional Indy racecar drivers, middle, meet with members of Camp Zama’s Boy Scout Troop 34 Sunday at Twin Ring Motegi before the start of the race.

Mach Go Go Go

6 September 22, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil TORII September 22, 2011 7

COMMUNITY

2 days, 11 bands, 14,000 fans

Photo by Dustin PerryOmar Gaïndéfall, a member of reggae band Maka Roots, plays a djembe drum onstage Sunday night during Camp Zama’s annual two-day Music Fest.

Photo by Dustin PerryEliot Sloan, lead singer of Blessid Union of Souls, performs during the band’s headlining set Sunday night onstage for a massive crowd at Yano Field here.

Photo by Dustin PerryAn estimated 14,000 people came to Camp Zama to attend this year’s Music Fest, held Saturday and Sunday at Yano Field.

music fest ‘11By Dustin PerryTorii Editor

“Everybody likes different kinds of music, so you can’t just have [the same] every year. You need a variety.”

So said Eliot Sloan, lead singer of the rock band Blessid Union of Souls, headliners on the second night of Camp Zama’s sixth annual Music Fest. Judging by its lineup of 11 eclectic artists, who drew an estimated 14,000 spectators to the installation Satur-day and Sunday, the event clearly coincides with the veteran frontman’s philosophy.

Yano Field here was once again trans-formed into a vast concert ground, the centerpiece of which was of course a large stage on which local and internationally renowned acts from a handful of musical genres performed from the early afternoon to the late evening.

The first group to take the stage Saturday was the jazz outfit Skaff-Links, followed later by L’Attitude 35, purveyors of Top 40 radio hits. As the evening arrived, the crowd was treated to the buoyant sounds of the 296th Army Band’s Latin band. British group My Life Story performed a rousing set of their signature chamber-pop music as a lead-in to the first night’s headliner, Mexican pop and R&B artist Frankie J.

A former member of the Latin Grammy-winning boy band Kumbia Kings from 1999 to 2003, the then-24-year-old Frankie J (née Francisco Javier Bautista Jr.) enjoyed

Photo by Tetsuo NakaharaSinger Frankie J performs Saturday during his headlining set at Music Fest.

massive success with the group, selling more than 1 million albums in the U.S. and Mexico alone.

Since branching out into a solo career, Frankie J, now 35, has gone on to release five well-received albums, recorded with artists such as Baby Bash and Chamillionaire, and was an opening act for Britney Spears during her 2007 promo tour.

“This is my first time performing out here at Camp Zama; I’m thrilled to be here,” said Frankie J before his set. “Performing in front of a military crowd, for me it’s an honor.”

Onstage, Frankie J crooned his way through popular hits such as “Don’t Wanna Try,” “Obsession (No Es Amor),” and his cover of Extreme’s “More Than Words.” Performing at Music Fest provided him an opportunity to “bring a little bit of what they’re missing” to the military crowd, the singer said.

“A lot of the people here in Camp Zama are from the states, so by me coming over here, it’s a way to come and show them a little bit of home,” said Frankie J. “I want to let them know that the work they’ve been doing for us is definitely appreciated. I want to send some positive vibes to the people who are out here.”

The second day of Music Fest began with the Hawaiian stylings of Island of da Heart, a performance from the Army jazz group Flash Point, and a return appearance by the Japanese hip-hop and dance trio Fis

Block. They were followed by the stylisti-cally similar R&B group GeneZ, and later, the reggae collective Maka Roots, several members of which also belong to Music Fest regulars the Island Boyz.

When Blessid Union of Souls finally took the stage to close out the two-day event, they were met with loud cheers from the ecstatic crowd.

The five-piece group, sometimes short-ened to Blessid Union, gained widespread popularity following the release of the single “I Believe” from their hit 1995 debut album, Home. They once again scored a major radio hit with the 1999 single “(Hey Leonardo) She Likes Me for Me.”

“I had the opportunity to play for the military about seven years ago with our band, and it just honestly gave me a whole new perspective,” said Sloan. “It gave me a better appreciation for the military and what you guys do. When this opportunity came up, we jumped at the chance.”

Drummer Chris Ardruser, who had never visited a military base before coming to Japan for Music Fest, said his expectations for performing for the diverse crowd were basically the same regardless of where the band plays.

“[Our goal] is to do the absolute best we all can,” he said. “Really, that’s what any show should be about.”

Both nights of Music Fest ended the same way they have in past years: with a massive fireworks display.

SPORTS & FiTneSS8 September 22, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil

Photos by Dustin PerryYoshihisa Tanimura, left, faces off against defending Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super welterweight champion Charlie Ota in a 12-round bout that served as the main event of Camp Zama’s inaugural Pacific Boxing Showdown, held Sunday at Yano Fitness Center. The event included seven matches and a two-round exhibition.

Zama’s first Boxing Showdown packs a punch

By Dustin PerryTorii Editor

Kim Hyon-Jun, left, of South Korea trades punches in his debut flyweight fight against Kosuke Miura, the first match of the Pacific Boxing Showdown, held Sunday at Camp Zama. The fight ended with a draw decision.

Sixteen trained and ready fighters, including Japan’s reigning super welterweight champion, faced off in the ring Sunday at Yano Fitness Center here during Camp Zama’s first-ever Pacific Boxing Showdown.

Charlie Ota, formerly of the U.S. Navy, defended his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title against the ninth-ranked Yoshihisa Tonimura in a 12-round bout that served as the Showdown’s main event.

Early rounds saw Ota and Tonimura trading quick and hard blows to the face and body, both fighters looking to gain an edge in points while their stamina was at its peak. The 5-foot-6-inch, 153-pound Ota said after the match that his initial strategy against Tonimura was to explore the ring space, to “move around a lot and just out-box him.”

“It was a really tough fight because he put a lot of pressure on me, but on the inside I was able to dodge and slip most of his punches,” said Ota, a New York native who lives and trains in Hachioji. “Even though he was throwing a lot, I was catching him with more precision punches.”

Tonimura earned the only recorded knockdown early in the match, though Ota maintains he slipped on the blood- and sweat-spattered mat – a claim affirmed by the many other similar occurrences before and after that. Regardless, Ota remained fierce as his opponent continued an admirable fight.

“I had to stand my ground more,” said Ota. “I had to make sure when I stood, I had to position the lower half of my body completely still, but still try to dodge and catch him with a few punches on the inside.”

As the rounds progressed, each punch sent with it mists of perspiration and, later, more blood from a cut above Tonimura’s left eye. The referee halted the match on a few occasions to determine if the Chiba native was fit to continue. He endured.

When the bell rang at the end of the 12th round and Ota was announced the winner by unanimous decision, both fighters tapped gloves in a sign of mutual respect for the other. This level of sportsmanship was on display in each of the other six matches of the night.

“It’s a pleasure for me to perform for the military,” said Ota. “I know the hardships that the men and women go through every day to serve and protect everyone around the world, so I was happy that they enjoyed the fight.”

Highlights from the event included wins-by-knockout earned by Rokuhei Suzuki and Dianever Orcales in their respective matches against Shinji Kogawa and Junta Sekimoto. The quick and agile Suzuki, fighting in the 56-kilogram weight class, abruptly ended his four-round bout when he cornered Kogawa in the ropes and pummeled him repeatedly in the nose.

In the next match, Philippines native Orcales battered Sekimoto with a rapid succession of jabs and torso shots for a few rounds before finishing with a powerful blow in the center of the ring that put his opponent out for the count.

Other winners-by-decision included Satoru Philip Taki-nami in his welterweight match against Shunsuke Sonoda, and Ryuta Wakamatsu in his 54.5-kilogram match against Hisashi Owada. Earning a technical-knockout win was Wars Katsumata in his flyweight match against Koji Itagaki.

The event was coordinated by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Division, and U.S. Army Garrison – Japan.

SPORTS & FiTneSSTORII September 22, 2011 9 www.torii.army.mil

of the lack of resources in a disaster area.

In Okinawa, 1-1 ADA incorpo-rates our assets with the Air Force on Kadena, the Navy AEGIS radar-based combat system, Marine radar assets, and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force air defense in a combat envi-ronment. This is one aspect of our training that usually gets overlooked because it is difficult to schedule time for all units to participate.

In recent months, we have im-proved communication and training opportunities, but much more work is needed if we truly want to take advantage of all assets on Okinawa.

One of the unique aspects of Op-eration Tomodachi was the additional stress of operating in a contaminated area. The Fukushima nuclear reactor was crippled in the tsunami, making any relief effort in the surrounding area much more sensitive.

The first issue we encountered was ensuring that all vehicles, personnel and equipment involved in the Logis-tics Package convoys went through a thorough decontamination after each trip to Sendai Airport or Ishinomaki. Maintaining proper paperwork from the decontamination stops was essen-tial, because the route for each convoy went straight through Tokyo and other major population centers.

Chemical, Biological, Radiologi-cal and Nuclear training is also a major focus for Patriot units. However, it is rare to experience a real scenario that utilizes this training. As we conducted our first convoy decontamination, it became immediately clear that our air defense Soldiers were not as familiar with the process as we should be.

In our regular mission, we will not be able to use Marine resources, so our Soldiers must train up to become subject-matter experts. Even though the primary reason for decontamina-tion operations is Soldier safety, it is also important when operating in a foreign country to be able to correctly document all screening to avoid legal ramifications.

During Operation Tomodachi we became proficient in the real ap-plication of all these tasks and are now passing along the lessons we learned to the rest of the Soldiers in 1-1 ADA.

The Soldiers from 1-1 ADA who participated in Operation Tomodachi got the opportunity to help people in need, build relations with the Japanese local nationals, and escape from the air defense world for a while.

The experience they received will encourage confidence in our junior Soldiers and hopefully inspire a new perspective on training for the leader-ship. Incorporating these lessons into training for our mission on Okinawa will significantly increase our combat readiness.

MISSION, from Page 3

TORII STATION, Okinawa – Celebrat-ing their 12th year, the Kadena Special Olympics hosted the organization’s annual bowling tournament Saturday at Seaside Bowl Mihama in Chatan Town, Japan.

More than 240 athletes joined with more than 80 volunteers from the Air Force and Army in celebration of the successes and achievements of individuals with intellec-tual disabilities.

“The Special Olympics have helped de-velop a deeper understanding of the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities and create a close-knit community in Okinawa that continues to exist long after the Games have ended,” said Dr. Timothy Shriver, Spe-cial Olympics International chairman. “The Special Olympics have become more than just a sports event on your island, and I hope that your shared experiences have given you an equal measure of hope and joy.”

Photo by Chip SteitzBrig. Gen. Matt Molloy, 18th Wing commander, high-fives Yasukatsu Fukuhara after he scores a strike during the 12th annual Kadena Special Olympics bowling tourna-ment held Saturday at Seaside Bowl Mihama in Chatan Town, Japan.

Kadena Special Olympics hosts bowling tourneyBy Chip Steitz10th Support Group Public Affairs

How to moderate fat intake By Lt. j.g. Melissa AmescuaClinical Dietitian, USNH Yokosuka

So often I hear the phrase, “Fat makes you fat.” But does it? The answer is, too much of anything will make you fat. If you eat too many carbohydrates, too much protein or even too much fat – regardless if they are good types or not – will make you put on the pounds.

What do fats do? Dietary fat is one of the three macronutrients, along with protein and carbohydrates, that provides energy for your body – up to nine calories per gram. Fat is essential to your health because it supports a number of your body’s functions. Some vitamins, for instance, must have fat to dis-solve and nourish your body. Fat is used for cellular repair, it helps to aid in cognitive ability, mental clarity, memory retention, and is used to help regulate blood sugar.

Monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids are all sources of healthy fats that are actually recommended for good health.

Foods high in monounsaturated fats like olive oil, olives, canola oil, hazelnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and avocados can help improve your good cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein, and lower your bad cholesterol, or low-density lipoproteins. Foods high in polyunsatu-rated fats are also good for us and should be included in our diets. Some foods that have a good source of polyunsaturated fats would be found in some nuts, fish, seeds, algae, leafy greens and krill, some types of margarine and mayonnaise.

And if you have not already heard that one needs to eat more omega-3 fats for your brain and your heart, then you should start listening to the good advice. Good choices include salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines. Everyone should aim to eat fish at least twice a week. There are, however, other foods with omega-3 fats besides fish that include walnuts, canola and soybean

oils. Or you could start adding flaxseed oil to your cereal, yogurt or other foods, which is very high in omega-3 fats.

One other way to incorporate omega-3s is if you start reading the labels on egg cartons and choose eggs that are high in omega-3 fatty acids. These eggs have more omega-3 fats than regular eggs because of the type of feed given to the chickens that lay them.

Here is the dark side, however, to eat-ing all types of fats. The two evil villains, called saturated and trans fats – along with their accomplice cholesterol – often sneak into your foods and cause your LDLs to rise. It is possible that they play supporting roles for diseases and health issues such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancer.

The background on saturated fat is that it is found in animal products, mostly – rich in whole milk, 2 percent milk, butter, cream, lard, sausage and bacons. But it is also found in chicken skin, prime ribs, T-bone steaks and even in snack foods. These foods tempt us with their good taste but lead to foul play that can cause damage to our calorie intake, clog our arteries and increase our risk for the diseases discussed above.

Trans fats are similar in the respect that they will still cause things like cardiovas-cular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancer. They can occur naturally in some foods, but are mostly found to be syntheti-

cally made and are used as a preservative to extend the shelf life of foods.

They have been made so that fats can be easier to cook with and less likely to spoil and are naturally occurring oils. Research studies show that synthetic trans fat can increase unhealthy LDL cholesterol and lower healthy HDL cholesterol.

So overall it can be hard to know what to do, but here are some heart-healthy tips on eating fat:

• Consume no more than 25 percent to 30 percent of your daily calories from fat.

• Limit the amount of saturated and trans fats you consume together to three grams or less per serving.

• When reading a food label, your total fat per serving should be five grams or less.

• Try to eat fish high in omega-3s, like tuna, mackerel and salmon, two times per week.

• When cooking with oil, try using olive or canola oil.

• Incorporate two tablespoons of ground flaxseed per day into your oatmeal or cereals.

• When looking at a food label, if it says “zero grams of trans fats,” look in the ingre-dients for the words “partially hydrogenated oils,” which indicate there are still trans fats in the food item.

Sources: National Institute of Health, Mayo Clinic, Nutritional Care Manual, American Dietetics Association

“The two evil villains, called saturated and trans fats – along with their accomplice cholesterol – often sneak into your foods and

cause your bad cholesterol to rise.”

Classifieds & Movies 10 September 22, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil

Movie sCHedUle aTsUGi Cinema 77

https://www.atsugi.navy.mil/ATSUGI/Mwr/index.html264-3789

saGaMiHaRa

for your Tv schedule, visit www.myafn.net

http://www.aafes.com/ems/pac/zama.htm267-6111

friday6 p.m...Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows, Pt. 2 (PG-13) 130 minutes9 p.m...Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star (R) 97 minutes

saturday3 p.m...............................Zookeeper (PG) 102 minutes6 p.m...Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows, Pt. 2 (PG-13) 130 minutes9 p.m...Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star (R) 97 minutes

sundaysaturday

3 p.m...............................Zookeeper (PG) 102 minutes6 p.m...Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star (R) 97 minutes

friday7 p.m.........................Winnie the Pooh (G) 70 minutes9:30 p.m...Rise of the Planet of the Apes (PG-13) 105 minutes

saturday5 p.m.........................Winnie the Pooh (G) 70 minutes7 p.m...Rise of the Planet of the Apes (PG-13) 105 minutes9:30 p.m.....................The Change-Up (R) 112 minutes

sunday3:30 p.m....................Winnie the Pooh (G) 70 minutes5:30 p.m...Rise of the Planet of the Apes (PG-13) 105 minutes8 p.m.........................The Change-Up (R) 112 minutes

Classified ads not pertaining to commercial profit are free to military personnel, DA Civilians, Family members and MLC/IHA employees. Ads should be 20 words or less with non-workplace E-mail or phone numbers listed. To submit a classified ad, E-mail tetsuo.nakahara4@us.army.mil. However, the Torii Newspaper reserves the right not to publish inappropriate advertisements. Deadline is no later than noon Mondays. Military community classified ads can also be placed for free on a commercial Web site at www.mymilitaryclassifieds.com/xzclf/162_Camp_Zama_ARMY_/.

Appropriated Fund (APF) and Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) job announcements and application instructions are available at http://cpol.army.mil. For questions regarding APF vacancies, please call 263-3755. NAF MWR job announcements and required forms are also available at http://www.usarj.army.mil/information/zama/employ.htm. For questions regarding NAF vacancies, please call 263-5800.

Non-appropriated fund Pacific Stars & Stripes job announcements are available online at http://cpol.army.mil. For more information, call the Job Information Center at 229-3163.

Japanese national position vacancies are posted on the Internet at http://www.usagj.jp.pac.army.mil/ima/sites/jeso/rp_jjobs_list_j.asp. Application forms are available on the same site. Selection status can also be checked. For more information, call 263-3325.

Army Job Announcements are available @ www.armycivilianservice.com/

All Federal Government’s Jobs are available @ www.usajobs.com/

Jobs

Others

Wanted

Other local positions

Pets

ATTENTION

animal adoption: Dogs and cats are available for adoption at the Camp Zama Veterinary Clinic. For more information, call 263-3875.

animal Rescue:A small animal rescue NPO is asking for any dog & cat supplies, food, usedkennels for donation. For details, please call Meg at 263-8327 or e-mail to animalrescuezama@gmail.com

Child and Youth Program assistant (level 2-4), (CYS, Zama & SHA), CY-1/2, RFT/RPT, $9.59 - $17.09, Open Continuous

Recreation assistant (lifeguard), RD, NF-02, Flex, $9.29, Closes: November 30, 2011

Recreation assistant (lifeguard/Pool operator), RD, NF-02, RFT, $9.29, Closes: November 30, 2011

lead Child and Youth Program assistant (level 5), SHA, CY-02, RFT, $13.14 - $17.09, Open Continuous

Project/Task Manager: General Dynamics Information Technology is looking for a Project Manager at Camp Zama. Candidates must be a graduate of a military command and staff college or higher and have experience with the U.S. Army doctrine, organization, and procedures. Apply by sending a cover letter and resume to asdjobs@gdit.com with “Camp Zama” in the subject line. General Dynamics Information Technology is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Camp Zama WIC Overseas office has a PT position for Nutritionist/Dietitian/Nurse/Home Economist/Physician Assistant.Requires B.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics or Home Economics, or BSN in Nursing with some experience in prenatal, maternal or infant nutrition. Experience with WIC desirable. Must have current Driver’s License. Must be U.S. citizen. For consideration, please e-mail your resume and cover letter to: wicoverseasjobs@choctawarchiving.com or

fax to: (210)525-1398. Choctaw Contracting Services, a rapidly growing provider of health, social, mental health, and administrative services, will reward your efforts with an attractive salary and benefits package.

Watch care workers and musicians: Opportunity for Extra Income. Camp Zama Garrison Chaplain’s Office is taking contract applications for watch care workers and musicians. Applications are available at the Camp Zama Chapel. Please contact SSG Howard F. Thompson (263-8064) or Ms. Nobuko Motegi (263-4898). Deadline Date: 31 August 2011

administrative assistant: Girl Scouts is seeking a skilled office professional to support Girl Scout Overseas West-Pacific at Camp Zama. Excellent computer and communication skills a must. This regular part-time position (25-30) hours per week is available June 15. Send cover letter and resume to Westpacificgirlscouts@gmail.com

anti-Terrorism/force Protection instructors wanted. Positions are available with Firearms Academy of Hawaii, Inc. Duties include instruction of marksmanship, watch standing and tactical team movements. Position location is Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. Marksmanship instructor experience is a must. Tactical team movement experience is desired. Qualified candidates may call Christopher at 243-6171 or send resume to yeagleycj@yahoo.com.

Pharmacist, intermittent (240 hours): Provides pharmacist services for outpatient pharmacy at MEDDAC-Japan, Camp Zama. Must have A degree in Pharmacy from an accredited school in the United States or Canada. This is a contract positions open to SOFA status applicants. Resumes may be sent to Yoshiyasu.Aoki@us.army.mil. ALL applicants shall register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov.

substitute teachers: Zama American High/Middle School are currently accepting applications for substitute teachers. U.S. citizenship and a high school diploma or GED are required. For more information or any questions, please call 263-4005.

Due to the recent contract with Allied Telesis, residential phone numbers with 263- and 267- prefixes have changed. If you are currently running a classified ad in the Torii that lists an out-of-date residential number as a point of contact and would like to change it to your new extension, send an e-mail to tetsuo.nakahara4@us.army.mil with the updated phone number. The Torii staff will work to ensure these changes are reflected in future issues of the publication.

Pet sitting: available around Zama & SHA area. An experienced pet owner. Will walk, feed, and play with dogs or cats while at work or on vacation. $20 a day. sasha-yuri@hotmail.com, 090-8947-4307

Give Hope Nippon: T-shirts designed to raise money for the victims of the earthquake/tsunami. 100% of the profits will go to the Lions Club

football Coaching: Volunteer Assistant Football Coaches are being sought for Zama High School. Interested individuals should consider their availability for daily after-school practices (1500-1730) as well as spring and preseason practices and games. Coaches meetings begin

soon. For more information please contact Coach Merrell at 263-3181 or steven.merrell@pac.dodea.edu.

Taekwondo instructor: Child Youth & School Services SkiesUnlimited program is looking for a certified ATA Taekwondo instructor. If Interested please Contacted Nicholas Andrews, instructional program specialist, at 263-4125

volunteer at U.s. army Garrison Japan Postal service Center : Volunteer opportunities are available in the USAGJ Postal Service Center, we will provide you with valuable training in Post Office and Unit Mailroom operations. Please contact Army Community Services at 263-8087 for details and assistance on volunteering your services.

english teachers: A small off-post home school(about 200 students) near Sagami Depot. First time teachers welcome! Classes available Mon. – Thu. 1pm to 9pm (No weekends or Fridays!) Call for details. Derek Partington English School, home 042-756-4483; cell 090-3082-4439 or E-mail: partngtn@jcom.home.ne.jp

esl teacher: Seeking ESL teachers for two conversational group classes. One requires travel to Tama and is very accessible by car. Meeting times are the 1st and 3rd Sat. from 10:30 a.m. – noon for one class and Sat. from 3 to 4 p.m. for the second. Pay is ¥7,500 and ¥3,000 per hour respectively. Call 090-549-6725 or e-mail shantee12@yahoo.com.

instructor: Arts and Crafts Center seeks instructors to teach sewing, water color painting, washi paper craft and/or acrylic paint arts. Also looking for contracted framer who has at least three years experience in framing production.For more information, call Nodera-san at 263-4412.

Help needed: yard cleaning, house cleaning, and other chores. Compensations are upon agreements. Please contact x35477@gmail.com, or call 080-5879-8318.

International. Please visit the website http://givehopenippon.org/index.html and/or like the facebook page “Give Hope Nippon” and like the page!

Cub scout Pack 34: P34 meets every 2nd Thurs 18:30 Zama Scout Hut Bldg 533. Parents & Single-Soldier Volunteers are welcome. All boys age 7 or grades 1 – 5 are encouraged to join us for great learning experiences, character building and fun! Contact cubmaster@zamacubscouts.org.

ZaCsa’s east Meets West shop: located behind the dry cleaners on Camp Zama, carries vintage Japanese items and collectibles. Store hours are every Tuesday and the 2nd and 4th Saturday’s of the month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Profits from the shop go back to the community in scholarships and welfare grants. For additional information please call 263-5533. Stop on by and check it out.

JaPaNese sPoUse ClUB: Would you like to socialize with other Japanese spouses, learn more about being a military spouse, share your experiences and support with others? If so, please call Meg at 263-8327 or e-mail jsczama@gmail.com for more information.

Rising Sun Lodge 151, F&AM. Stated Meeting 1st Thursday of every month at the Masonic Bldg, Sagami Depot. For more information contact: rsl151@gmail.com; website: risingsunlodge151.com; or call Dave 080-3467-7881.

CoMMUNiTY CaleNdaRwww.torii.army.mil TORII September 22, 2011 11

Hisano Yamazakihisano.yamazaki.jp@yokota.af.mil

What’s Happening Outside the Gate?

Eagle 810, AFN Tokyo

UpcomingOngoing EventsHispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, and Camp Zama will be offering a variety of activities and events in recognition of the observance.

• A Hispanic-themed book-reading and arts and crafts workshop is scheduled to be held from 2 p.m. on Saturday, and Oct. 1 and 8 at the Camp Zama Library.

• A nighttime Hispanic celebration for adults is scheduled to be held Saturday at the Camp Zama Community Club. The event will feature Hispanic music and dancing.

• Finally, the Hispanic Heritage Month observance is scheduled to be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the Community Activity Center. The event will include a guest speaker, presentations on Hispanic culture, a performance by a talent contest winner, and Hispanic-themed food and beverages.

Energy Conservation NoticeDuring these extraordinary times, please do your part to conserve energy and educate others. In the event the peak electrical demand is exceeded, DPW may have to conduct the following actions:• Early shutdown of air-conditioning systems at designated facilities.• Turn on A/Cs later in the morning.• Increase of thermostat settings at designated facilities and areas.• Shut down lighting systems.To prevent disruption of normal A/C operations and area lighting, the following actions must be implemented to conserve energy:• If you have multiple A/C split units in your house use only the one in the rooms being occupied.• USAG-J peak consumption time is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Make every attempt to avoid using appliances like dishwashers, washers and dryers during this time.• Turn off A/Cs and maximize use of fans, or set the A/C thermostats to 78 degrees or above. Increase settings to no less than 85 degrees when not at home and at the end of

the duty day in administrative areas.• Turn off all unnecessary lights (interior / exterior) at home, unused office spaces, classrooms and conference rooms. Turn down all remaining individual lighting levels where possible.• Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescents or LEDs available at the Self-Help Stores (Bldg. 694 at Camp Zama, and Bldg. S-150 at SFHA). • Turn off all office and home appliances (i.e. coffee pots, stoves, microwave ovens, refrigerators, fans) when not in use. Unplug them when not in use.• Set computers, monitors, printers, copiers, and other business equipment to their energy-saving feature, and turn them off when not in use or at the end of the day.For more information on energy conservation, contact the DPW Environmental Division at 263-3559.

10 free stalls for flea market are available at Sagamiono Pumpkin Festival Oct. 23

Date: Oct. 23Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Location: Sagamiono Pumpkin Festival @ Sagamiono

Chuo Park • 2,000 yen admission fee is not required for U.S. vendors

and are being offered on a first come, first serve basis.For more information, contact Maki Ito by phone at

090-9823-9800 or by email at uuma0804@i.softbank.jp.

Post-Combat Stress SupportA support group to assist those experiencing symptoms

of post-combat stress is offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Army Community Service.

Foreign Born Spouse Support Group Whether your question concerns immigration and natural-ization, learning the English language, or how to take local transportation, the Army Community Service Relocation Program provides assistance, weekly classes and referrals. The support group is held on the third Wednesday of every month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the ACS Outreach Room. Call 263-HELP (4357) for pre-registration.

Indian Festival “Namaste India” @ Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, Sept. 23-25

Mexican Festival, “Fiesta Mexicana” @ Odaiba, Tokyo, Sept. 23-25

100 Musketeer Brigade Parade, “Tep-pogumi Hyakunintai” @ Hyakunin-cho Town, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Sept. 25One hundred people in traditional Japanese armed costume from the Edo Period walk in procession. Thirty out of the 100 people carry old-style of rifles and fire together, three times in succession, during the parade. This parade is designated as an intangible cultural asset of Shinjuku Ward in Tokyo.

Yokohama October Fest @ Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, Sep 30-Oct. 16

Kawasaki Awa Odori Dance Performance Festival @ Kawasaki Station East Exit area, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Oct. 8Awa Odori is a traditional Japanese folk dance performance. People dance on the street, with up-beat music played by Japanese instruments. Women wear summer cotton kimono called yukata and dance in formation. Men wear happi coats and tabi socks, and dance with more freedom. Everyone keeps their hands and arms above their shoulders.

Antique Fair @ Yokohama Arena (Ad-mission free), Oct. 4-5

Travel & CulTurewww.torii.army.mil12 September 22, 2011 TORII

Tokyo Game Show a Knockout Hit

Photo illustration by Dustin PerryA massive booth for the upcoming fighting game Street Fighter X Tekken, which included a playable demo, was at the Tokyo Game Show, held Saturday and Sunday at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center. An estimated 200,000 people attended the event, which offered a look at the hottest video game titles on the horizon.

Stor and photos by Dustin PerryTorii Editor

Hardcore video game fans famously yearn for the Sneak Peek – the chance to experience, through whatever means possible, an in-development title before its commercial release. Screenshots, 30-second teaser trailers, playable demos – all of them worth serious “I saw it first” brag-ging points.

A massive surplus of Sneak Peeks was available Saturday and Sunday for the es-timated 200,000 gamers who attended the Tokyo Game Show, Japan’s premier annual forum for the hottest upcoming video games across every genre and platform.

The Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba, Japan, was sprawled with booths from the biggest names in game develop-ment – Sony, Sega, Capcom, Konami – promoting everything from the latest sequels to flagship series, to advancements in burgeoning technologies such as 3-D and motion controls.

“I mostly enjoy Japanese RPGs and fighting games,” said Alexander Nilsen, a first-time TGS attendee from Norway. “I’m eager to get a look at Street Fighter X Tekken and to see if there is any news about [fighting franchise] Dead or Alive 5 … and maybe if

I’m lucky, some Final Fantasy.”Several attendees lauded the Tokyo

Game Show for the extensive amount of content available on the floor. On offer at this year’s event were exclusive looks at more than 350 titles for home consoles like the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360; the portable 3DS and PSP systems; and the personal computer.

“You really need two days to see every-thing,” said Christian Tschanz, who traveled from Switzerland to attend TGS. “It’s one of the biggest shows where the public can see the latest games that are coming out, and I think that’s great.”

To get a hands-on look at some of the most anticipated titles at this year’s TGS – Street Fighter X Tekken, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Silent Hill: Downpour – meant standing in line for upward of three hours, but the long waits did not seem to faze the legions of diehard gamers.

“I was really excited to play a demo of [the Nintendo 3DS title] Biohazard: Revela-tions,” said Tschanz. “It looked great; it’s amazing that the 3DS can display a game like that.”

Silent Hill: Downpour, the latest install-ment in the landmark horror-survival series, is scheduled to be released sometime in 2012 on the PS3 and Xbox 360, and will be the

first in the series to be developed in 3-D.The central character is Murphy Pendle-

ton, a prisoner who ends up stranded in the ominous, foggy and monster-filled town for which the game is named. Since its debut in 1999, the Silent Hill series has continued to deliver a deft combination of bloody action, puzzle-solving and psychological terror.

Even more interactive than the joystick-based games were those played on the Xbox 360’s Kinect and the PS3’s Move. Since their debut last year, the Kinect and

Move have both thrust themselves into the motion-control market originated by the Wii in 2006.

Elsewhere, massive screens displayed eye-catching trailers for role-playing games, dance simulators and third-party indie titles that have been making strong headway in the market with the surge of downloadable budget titles for the iPhone, Nintendo eShop and Xbox Live Arcade. Essentially, there is something worth seeing at TGS wherever one finds oneself on the showroom floor.

Two boys play a demo of Battle Block Theater, an upcoming side-scroller game.