MOFA hosts annual orientation course

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Allison Day
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted its 13th annual orientation course Feb. 10-13, which gave a rare training opportunity to 20 officers from the four U.S. military branches serving throughout Japan. 

Maj. Dustin Sutton, 35th Security Forces commander, was one of the officers selected to attend the course, which focused on the importance of the alliance between Japan and the United States. 

"The course," started Major Sutton, "through the interaction with top Japanese government officials, provided us incredible insight into the Japanese perspective of the alliance." 

Those who attended had the opportunity to discuss U.S. and Japan policy issues with members of the Japanese Ministry of Defense, MOFA, legislature members, and several leading Japanese political-military strategists. 

The course gave U.S. servicemembers a better understanding of how vital the alliance is to the strategic defense of Japan and the stabilization of the Western Pacific region, according to Major Sutton. 

"It's obvious that the alliance between our country and Japan is one of our nation's most important commitments," said Major Sutton. "We learned that for many Japanese, the upcoming visit of newly appointed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton demonstrates the United States' commitment to the security of Japan." 

All status of forces agreement personnel stationed in Japan have a part in ensuring the success of the alliance, according to Major Sutton. 

"You don't have to be stationed at the U.S. Embassy to be considered an ambassador," he said. "We are all ambassadors while stationed abroad and must represent ourselves accordingly. Behaving responsibly and adhering to local customs and courtesies especially while off the installation, not only strengthens our relations with the people of Misawa, but with the people of Japan as a whole."