Sailors stationed aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) and guided-missile destroyer JS Kirishima (DDG 174), in cooperation with the Sailors stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), conducted a base cleanup as a form of gratitude for the hospitality during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014 on Aug. 5.

More than 30 Japanese officers and enlisted sailors along with U.S. Navy Sailors gathered together early morning outside of the Makalapa Clinic where Command Master Chief Petty Officer Kazuyuki Morita, senior enlisted aboard JS Ise, greeted JBPHH Command Master Chief Jack Johnson and service members of both navies.

"As a Japanese sailor, I wanted to do something for a long time to show appreciation to the host country but was unsure how to make this happen," said Morita, who provided his input through a translator. "It is a Japanese tradition, or spirit, that wherever you go, you want to make sure to leave the place you have visited clean, so this is what we've decided to do."

Morita reflected on importance of building good rapport on a personal and cultural level.

"Showing this Japanese spirit, not only helps strengthen the connection as part of [RIMPAC] exercise, but also, outside of the exercise - just people to people - it establishes good nature and trust," he said. "Today, Japanese and American navies bonded together to build up a good relationship."

Johnson described the events leading to the joint cleanup.

"I received a phone call from Command Master Chief Kazuyuki Morita of the JS Ise and he asked if Japanese sailors could do a segmental base cleanup to show their gratitude for all the hospitality that Joint Base has provided during the RIMPAC," said Johnson. "I thought it was a great idea and suggested to make it a joint venture so we can bond our relationships even more."
Johnson also addressed the need for such events and gratitude for Japanese navy's outreach in building bridges between the two nations.

"Japan is always very hospitable to us when we pull into their ports and when our Navy has the opportunity to return that hospitality we always do the best we can do," he said. "Such event as today is a great opportunity to build bridges and friendships."

Sailors from both navies intermingled as they covered both sides of the North Road, continuing down the Pearl Harbor Boulevard toward the shipyard. As they went, Sailors collected any trash left by the side of the road as they conversed about cultures, their families as well as places of interest in Hawaii.

Despite the cultural and language barriers, both sides found something in common and learned something new from each other as they went.

Upon reaching their final destination, Sailors came together to thank each other on cooperation and exchanged small mementos and gifts of appreciation.

"This was a great opportunity and this event leads to a good friendship between the US and Japan," said Lt. j.g. Tanji Sasabe, stationed aboard JS Ise. "I hope that we would do this type of events more often."

The JS Ise is similar to light aircraft carriers operated by the world navies, and it is classed and operated primarily as Anti-Submarine Warfare vessel, which utilizes an air wing of SH-60K helicopters to screen and escort convoys or maintain ocean areas clear of submarine threats.

As the world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. During RIMPAC 2014, 22 nations, more than 40 ships and six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel participated in the exercise from June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.