主要活動

　On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 15 Supporting Members participated in an short cruise for public on the training vessel "Kashima". The participants were impressed because greeted by Rear Admiral Watanabe, the commander of the Training Squadron (COMTRARON), upon boarding the "Kashima". On the day, many JMSDF ships were moored at Yokosuka, and after departing from Hemi Pier, the COMTRARON were received the "JMSDF ship salute" from those JMSDF ships, which the participants were able to observe closely. Unfortunately it was rainy, but they were able to tour the inside of the ship, including valuable places such as the Commander's Saloon. And various events were prepared, so the those members enjoyed the three-hour cruise. At the end, the ship passed off the coast of Haneda Airport and entered the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal.

　On December 11 and 12, 2025, we welcomed supporting members for a two-day observation visit to the Maizuru District of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Both days were blessed with clear winter weather, providing an excellent opportunity to observe various JMSDF specialties up close.
On the first day, we visited the Maizuru District Headquarters, where we received a briefing on the regional missions. We also toured the Naval Memorial Hall and the reference room of the 4th Service School, gaining insights into the school’s history and the importance of logistics support. The passionate explanations provided by the staff further deepened our understanding.
The following day, we observed the Aegis destroyer Atago and the SH-60K helicopter. JMSDF personnel kindly introduced their missions, operational ingenuity, and the dedication behind their duties. Many participants commented that it was “a very warm and highly educational visit.” International Cruise Terminal.

　On Saturday, May 3, 2025, JANAFA invited CO. US Naval Air Facility Atsugi Capt. Leclerc, CO. US Naval Hospital Yokosuka Capt. Velazquez, and their families and staffs to participate in the “Hojo Godai Festival” which is held in Odawara every year on this day. The day was blessed with good weather, and in addition to viewing the Odawara castle and a parade of warriors dressed in armor, with the cooperation of shrine officials in the city, we had the opportunity to see up close the “Mikoshi (portable shrine)” participating in the parade and the shrine maiden dance ceremony, allowing them to experience Japanese culture more deeply.

　On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, we invited members of the U.S. Navy and their counterparts from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to observe the Yabusame ritual at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.The program included a formal visit to the shrine and the viewing the dynamic Yabusame ritual, which has been passed down since the Kamakura period For the U.S. Navy participants, the Yabusame ritual likely provided an opportunity to learn about Japanese culture through martial arts techniques and the etiquette of traditional Japanese horseback archery.

　Four U.S. Navy midshipmen (two men and two women) who trained in Japan from Wednesday, May 28 to Friday, June 13 experienced a homestay with four host families from Friday, May 30 to Monday, June 2.Although it was only a short stay of 3 nights and 4 days, it was an unforgettable experience, and their faces lit up as they gathered at Tokyo Station on the morning of June 2 to move on to the next training site.An overview of the U.S. Navy midshipmen's training in Japan and the impressions of the host families will be published in JANAFA No. 69, which is scheduled to be published in January.

　On Saturday, July 12, 2025, a memorial service for the late James E. Auer, who made significant contributions to strengthening Japan-U.S. security relations over many years, was held on board the MST “Bungo” off Maizuru, which was co-hosted by the Chief of Staff, Maritime Self Defense Forces(CMS) and the Commander,U.S. Naval Forces Japan(CNFJ). President G.Watanabe and Board Chairman H.Yuasa attended on behalf of JANAFA. It was unprecedented to hold a memorial service for the deceased on board a JMSDF ship. At the memorial service, the CMS, the CNFJ, and the guest representative, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Akihisa Nagashima, delivered eulogies. And a prayer was offered by a US Navy chaplain. Then the container holding the remains was lowered into the sea from the water burial slide in the presence of Mr. Teiichiro Auer, the eldest son of Mr.Auer. Afterwards, the attendees offered flowers (throwing them into the sea), funeral gun salutes were conducted by honor guard, and a gratitude was expressed by the representative of the bereaved family (Major John Ed. Auer, USMC). After that, MST “Bungo” had left the area while waving hats for salute and blowing a super-long steam whisthle to bid a final farewell, then the memorial service was concluded. In addition, two SH-60s belonging to Helicopter Squadron-23rd（Maizuru Air Base）flew over to pay tribute to the late James E. Auer.
Mr.James E. Auer served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1983, and served many positions closely related to the JMSDF, including political advisor to the CNFJ and commanding officer of a missile frigate belonged to the 7th Fleet (Yokosuka). He also studied at the JMSDF Command and Staff College,Intensive Command and Staff Course in 1976. Retired from the US Navy, he moved to the U.S. Department of Defense, where he had dedicated to the development of Japan‘s defense capabilities as Special Assistant for Japan, and served as Director of the Department’s Japan Division from 1979 to 1988. After leaving the Department of Defense, he became a professor at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and served as Director of the University‘s US-Japan Cooperative Research Center. In 2008, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in recognition of his significant contributions to deepening the security ties between Japan and the United States.
We express our gratitude for his efforts and achievements in strengthening the alliance between Japan and the United States, and pray that his soul may rest in peace.

　President Watanabe was invited to the U.S. Seventh Fleet 7th Fleet Change of Command Ceremony, which was held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Fleet Theater on the U.S. Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan. During the reception following the ceremony, President Watanabe presented a commemorative plaque to VADM Fred Kacher and a book titled "Friendship Across the Seas" to the new commander, VADM Patrick Hannifin.