MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Hundreds of American and Japanese families gathered at the Oirase River for the 22nd Annual Baby Salmon Release in Shimoda Salmon Park, Japan, March 16.
Local and Misawa Air Base children released baby salmon into the Oirase River and then cleaned up the park, removing trash and debris.
The annual event is a local effort to help encourage awareness and appreciation for the environment in a fun way while promoting Japanese-American relations. Baby salmon released this year will return to the river in 2023 to lay eggs and build their nests, restarting the life cycle.