torii u.s. army garrison japan weekly newspaper, jul. 8, 2010 edition

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Serving the U.S. Army Japan community

www.torii.army.mil VOL. 38, NO. 26

July 8, 2010

Photo by Dustin Perry

Ryodai Kuwahara, 5, a student at Hosen Kindergarten in Kanagawa, reaches cautiously to touch a male turkey in a petting zoo during a cultural exchange day held



2 July 8, 2010 TORII www.torii.army.mil

NEWS

Zama Briefs

Family Matters Blog

A former editor and writer for the AmericanForces Press Service has launched the

Family Matters Blog to provide resources

and support to military families as well as

encourage a dialogue on topics ranging

from deployments to the challenges of

everyday life. The blog features current,

up-to-date postings that matter to military

families. To view the blog, go to http://afps.

dodlive.mil /.

Lodging Information

Lodging renovations are complete. As of May 14, the front desk and ofces have

relocated back to Bldg. 552. The temporary

bus stop located on Sand Road, between

Bldgs. 552 and 780 were removed and

relocated to Bldg. 552 as of May 17. All

lodging phone numbers will remain the

same, with the front desk reachable at

263-3830.

Mail DispositionDue to space limitations at the Camp Zama

Consolidated Mailroom (Bldg. S-383), any

customer planning on taking leave or going

on temporary duty for more than 30 days

must make arrangements for disposition of

their mail during their absence. Customers

may ll out a DD Form 2258 (Temporary

Mail Disposition Instructions) to forward

mail to a temporary address or utilize PS

Form 3801 (Standing Delivery Order) to

authorize someone to pick up their mail.

For more information, call 263-8587.

Victim Advocacy

Victim advocacy is a free service for all personnel in the military community and islocated in Bldg. 402 at Army CommunityService. Victims are allowed to comeand talk to a trained victim advocate andinquire about available services. To contacta victim advocate, call 263-4853 or 080-6772-6735.

JGSDF’s rst-ever CSM candidates

learn from Camp Zama’s top NCOsBy Tetsuo Nakahara

Torii Staff

Photo by Tetsuo Nakahara

Command Sgt. Maj. William Franklin, left, U.S. Army Japan command sergeant ma-

jor, answers questions from Japanese Ground Self Defense Force CSM candidatesThursday. Twenty-six candidates attended the one-day educational tour.

Command sergeants major from the U.S.

Army met Thursday with 26 members of

the Japan Ground Self Defense Force who

are the rst candidates for the senior non-

commissioned ofcer rank to offer them

guidance and build the bilateral relationship

between the two organizations.

As part of their educational requirements,

the CSM candidates spent time learning

from several Soldiers what it means to holdthe title of NCO. The candidates were culled

from several units throughout the JGSDF.

In the morning, Command Sgt. Maj.

William Franklin, command sergeant

major of U.S. Army Japan, held a brief-

ing titled “The Role of Noncommissioned

Ofcers and Command Sergeants Major.”

Franklin’s brief touched on how the U.S.

Army organizes its chain of command in

the enlisted structure, and the importance

as a senior NCO of taking care of Soldiers

and their families.“It’s important for us to always be the

JGSDF’s coach and friend, but also be

careful not to ask them to be exactly like

American [Soldiers],” said Franklin. “The

Japanese have their own culture that is

completely apart from the U.S. Army’s

CSM program, and that’s OK. I think we

just need to get them to be the best command

sergeants major that they can be.”

After the brieng, the candidates asked

questions of Franklin in order to gain

knowledge they could bring back with them

to the JGSDF.

“I think the fact that the JGSDF has

started a command sergeant major pro-

gram is one of the most rewarding things

I’ve ever seen in my military career,” said

Franklin.

“I want you to understand that you are

[going to be] the rst command sergeants

major in the JGSDF,” Franklin told the

candidates. “Everybody is going to look

to you as a role model. I ask you to under-

stand that when you’re doing your work as

a command sergeant major, there are a lot

of responsibilities.”

Other briengs given to the candidates

that were meant to help give them a bet-

ter understanding of how the U.S. Army

works.

“Today’s briengs were very useful refe-

for us,” said Warrant Ofcer Koji Soeta, of

the JGSDF’s 6th Field Artillery Brigade. “Of

course there is a cultural difference, but we

have so many things to learn from the U.S.

Army. It is very valuable for us to learn the

history that the U.S. Army has established,

and it will reect in our system.”



NEWSwww.torii.army.mil TORII July 8, 2010 3

WWII veterans honored at Torii StationBy Tetsuo Nakahara

Torii Staff

(Above): Col. James Woodard, commander of the

10th Area Support Group, salutes in remembrance

of those who sacriced their lives in the Battleof Okinawa during a June 24 Veterans Memorial

Ceremony at Torii Station, Okinawa.

(Right): From right, retired Marine Staff Sgt. Paul

Moore, Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 232,

and retired Sgt. Charles Cebuhar, D. Co., 381st

Regt., 96th Infantry Division, hold ags presented

to them by the 10th ASG. More than 100 attendeesgathered to honor the veterans.

Five retired U.S. servicemembers who

fought in the Battle of Okinawa returned

to the island after 65 years to be honored

during the Veterans Memorial Ceremony

held June 24 at Torii Station.

More than 100 attendees – including

Soldiers, family members, civilians and

Japanese Ground Self Defense Force mem-

bers – gathered to honor the veterans of the

Battle of Okinawa, the culminating conict

in Japan during World War II that resulted

in more than 250,000 U.S. and Japanese

military and civilian casualties.At the ceremony, Col. James Woodard,

commander of the 10th Army Support

Group, saluted in remembrance of those

who sacriced their lives in the Battle of

Okinawa.

“I’m humbled and honored to be standing

here today with distinguished company,”

said Woodard during his speech at the cer-

emony. “Two nations throughout the past 65

years have forged an alliance – an alliance

of peace and an alliance of security. The

strength of that alliance is one of the greatstories of the 20th and 21st century. Asia is

largely at peace today because our alliance

has given people throughout the region

condence that peace will be defended

and peace will be preserved. That is what

alliances are for, and that is why ours has

endured for so long.”

The 10th ASG presented special ags to

each veteran at the ceremony in honor of

their royalty, sacrice and dedication to the

country. The retired servicemembers spoke

of their time in the military during World

War II and noted the changes Okinawa has

undergone since then.

“[The Army] put me in a training camp

for six weeks, three weeks at home on

furlough, and on a ship to Okinawa as a re-

placement in the 96th Infantry,” said retired

Sgt. Charles Cebuhar, formerly of D Com-

me to come back, but the whole thing was just great.

I can’t thank the U.S. Army enough for what they

did for us for this week, and they do this always for

all veterans, which I think is great.”

On April 1, 1945, approximately 20,000 Ameri-

can troops landed on Okinawa. Another 54,000

troops were stationed on ships off the eastern side



4 July 8, 2010 TORII www.torii.army.mil

Community Calender

Hs [email protected]

What’s Happening Outside the Gate?

eg 810, aFn tk

UpcomingOngoing Events

Summer Hire ProgramThe Camp Zama Summer Hire Program began accepting

applications Wednesday. Applications can be picked up in building 102 in room A-209. The summer hire program is

for young people ages 14 – 22. Summer hire employees

receive $5.15 per hour for a variety of jobs that are

categorized as labor, clerical, or child development areas.

Participants must be unmarried family members of an active

duty servicemember or Department of Defense civilian

employee. Summer hires must be 14 before July 6, which is

the ofcial start of the program, and must not turn 23 prior

to the end of the program on Aug. 13. Participants in child

development positions must be at least 16 and will require

a background check. For more information on summer hire

applications, call 263-3808 and for general information on

the summer hire program, call 263-5348.

Post-Combat Stress SupportA special support group to assist those experiencingsymptoms of post-combat stress is offered from 11:30

a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the community room at

Army Community Services. For more information, callGary Woods at 263-8091.

CLEP and DANTES TestingCollege-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Defense

Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES)

testing sessions are held at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesdays.To schedule an appointment, call 263-5379 / 4691 or e-mail

[email protected] study for the CLEP tests, visit

www. petersons.com. To study for the DANTES exams,

visit www.getcollegecredit.com.

Conducting an Effective Risk AssessmentThis course will teach participant how to prepare DA

Form 7566 Composite Risk Management worksheet for all

situation and environment across a wide range of operations,

activities and process.Target Audience: Managers/Supervisors/Military/

CivilianCourse Schedule: July 15, 13:00 – 14:00

Location: Bldg. 102, Room A-205

How to apply: Contact Ms. Akisato at 263-3267 or yoshimi.

[email protected] for register.

Reminder: Portable Basketball GoalsThe commander and command sergeant major of U.S.

Army Garrison – Japan would like to remind all housing

residents that portable basketball goals are to be erected

for immediate use only, and are to be removed and stored

immediately after use. Basketball goals are not permittedto be erected in parking lots or on streets. They should also

not be set up in a manner where players will be runningand shooting from the street. For identication purposes,

all basketball goals are to be labeled with the sponsor’s

name and dwelling unit number. Unlabeled basketball goals

left in common areas may be conscated and disposed of.

Residents are also reminded to always be courteous of their

neighbors and that quiet hours from 10:30 p.m. to 9 a.m. are

to be observed. Parents are also reminded to appropriately

supervise their children and that any damages to vehicles or

other property will be their responsibility. Please consider

utilizing the basketball courts available at Yano FitnessCenter, the Youth Center, or at school grounds.

Ground Cherry Fair or Hozuki-Ichi @Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo, July 9-10Japanese people say the roots of ground cherry or hoh.

zuki have a medical effect. Nowadays, they enjoy it as a

decoration when the fruit turns a bright orange-red color,

because red is believed to protect us against evil. It’s also

said, people will take home 46,000 days’ worth of good

luck by visiting this temple on July 10.

Wind Bell Fair or Furin-Ichi @ KawasakiDaishi Temple, Kawasaki City Jul 17-21750 kinds of 23,000 wind bells or furin from all over Japan

will be on sale.

Awa-Odori Dance Performance Fes-tival @ Odakyu/Sagami-Tesudo Line

Yamato Station area Jul 23-25Awa-odori dance has been performed for 400 years in

Tokushima Pref on Shikoku Island. Hundreds of people

dance with up-beat music played by Japanese instruments.

Women wear summer cotton kimono or yukata and dance

in formation. Men wear happi coats and tabi socks, and

dance with more freedom. Everyone keeps their handsand arms above their shoulders, and men don’t let their

heels touch the ground.

Toy Story 3 an instant classic that hits all right notes B ds P

Torii Editor

Indonesia Festival @ Yoyogi Park,Tokyo Jul 10-11

Anyone who was worried that Toy Story 3

would be unable to meet the stratospheric ex- pectations set by the rst two Pixar-animated

classics can rest easy; given a few years, the

concluding chapter may come to be seen as

the best in the trilogy. But more on that later.

Perhaps thelm’sbiggest accomplishment

involved with seven previous Pixar lms,

stages the action brilliantly. The daycare-

breakout scene is as carefully mapped out asanything from Steven Soderbergh’sOcean’s

Eleven. And the comedic set pieces are as

on-target as ever, the best of which involve

Michael Keaton as a scene-stealing, fashion-

obsessed Ken doll, and a reset-to-Spanish

Buzz who dances the Salsa and attempts

to seduce Jessie with dialogue straight out



Communitywww.torii.army.mil TORII July 8, 2010 5


A highly decorating ofcer Maj. Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski, commander of U.S. Army Japan and I Corps (Forward), hangs a tanzaku, a small piece of paper containing a hand-written wish,

onto a bamboo tree Thursday at the entrance of the USARJ headquarters building here. The custom is part of Tanabata (“Evening of the Seventh”), a Japanese star

festival that is celebrated once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. Along with other tanzaku

, the bamboo tree is also decorated with paper chains.



Classifieds & Movies6 July 8, 2010 TORII www.torii.army.mil

For sale

Classied ads not pertaining to commercial prot

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 classied ad, E-mail [email protected], the Torii

Newspaper reserves the right not to publish

inappropriate advertisements. Deadline

is no later than noon Mondays. Military

community classied ads can also be placed

for free on a commercial Web site at www.

mymilitaryclassieds.com/xzclf/162_Camp_

Zama_ARMY_/ .

Appropriated Fund (APF) and Nonappropriated

Fund (NAF) job announcements and applicationinstructions are available athttp://cpol.army.mil. For questions regarding APF vacancies, pleasecall 263-3608. NAF MWR job announcementsand 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 Pacic Stars & Stripes job announcements are available online athttp://cpol.army.mil. For more information, callthe Job Information Center at 229-3163.

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

Jobs

Others

WantedVehicles for sale

ZCsa’ et Mt Wt shp: located behindthe dry cleaners on Camp Zama, carries vintageJapanese items and collectibles. Store hours are

every Tuesday and the 2nd and 4th Saturday’sof the month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Prots

from the shop go back to the community inscholarships and welfare grants. For additionalinformation please call 263-5533. Stop on byand check it out.

Th Wmn, innt, n Chrn, (WIC)overseas program at Camp Zama offers valuablenutritional information and food subsidizes. For more information, call 263-8960.

JaPaNese sPoUse ClUB: Would you liketo socialize with other Japanese spouses, learn

more about being a military spouse, share your experiences and support with others? If so, pleasecall Meg at 263-8327 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

PCSing? I recently arrived and would love tohave your owers (potted or planted) for my

quarters. Email me [email protected].

U.s. army Grrn Jpn Pt src

Cntr : Volunteer opportunities are availablein the USAGJ Postal Service Center, we will provide you with valuable training in PostOfce and Unit Mailroom operations. Please

contact Army Community Services at 263-8087for details and assistance on volunteering your

Fridays!) Call for details. Derek PartingtonEnglish School, home 042-756-4483; cell090-3082-4439 or E-mail: [email protected]

engh tchr: Sagami Home English

School is looking for Native English speakers toteach English in their homes on the weekends.Please contact Tammy DeYoung at: tad3571@

aol.com

Prt-tm engh tchr: Pay is ¥16,000 towork four times per month. Two Mondays from4 – 6:10 p.m., one Tuesday from 9 – 10 p.m. andone Friday from 7 – 8 p.m. Located 15 minutesdriving distance from SHA in Minami-Rinkanarea. For more information, E-mail Kaz at [email protected] .

sprt pht: The Torii Newspaper wants to

publish your action sports photos for sports of all ages, all seasons. To showcase your teamor your child’s team, e-mail your digital actionsports photos less than two weeks old (withcaptions) in .jpg format of 3mb or more to [email protected].

Ch n Yuth Prgrm atnt (l

2-4), (CYS, Zama & SHA), CY-1/2, RFT/RPT,$9.58 - $17.09, Closes: Open Continuous

Rcrtn atnt (lgur), RD, Flex, NF-02, $9.29, Closes: Open Continuous

f src Wrkr (Bwng), BD, Flex, NA-02, $8.77, Closes: Open Continuous

oprtn atnt (Cmmunty Cub),

BD, Flex, NF-1101-01, $9.00, Closes: OpenContinuous

l Ch Y th P a t t

This is a contract positions open to SOFA statusapplicants. Resumes may be sent to Yoshiyasu.

[email protected]. ALL applicants shallregister in the Central Contractor Registration(CCR) at www.ccr.gov.

Phyc Thrpt, intrmttnt (240 hur):

Provides physical therapy service in the areasof physical disabilities, neuromuscular and psychosocial dysfunctions in patients rangingfrom adolescence to the very elderly. Must havelicense to practice physical therapy in the U.S.This is a contract positions open to SOFA statusapplicants. Resumes may be sent to Yoshiyasu. [email protected]. ALL applicants shallregister in the Central Contractor Registration(CCR) at www.ccr.gov.

intructr/fcttr: Camp Zama EducationCenter is looking for a Instructor/Facilitator to

conduct daytime Online Academic Skills Courseformerly called FAST. Bachelor’s Degree andTeaching License/Certicate preferred.Will

be paid for 240 classroom hours per year. Call263-5055 for more information.

intructr/fcttr: Torii Station EducationCenter is looking for a Instructor/Facilitator toconduct daytime Online Academic Skills Courseformerly called FAST. Bachelor’s Degree andTeaching License/Certicate preferred.Will be

paid for classroom hours taught per year.Call263-5055 for more information.

Bkkpr/ intrn accuntnt: The WestPacic Girl Scouts is looking for a bookkeeper to

maintain all nancial records, produce monthly

nancial statements, perform other functions

necessary to the position. Must be familiar with accounting procedures and principles, MSExcel and other accounting software. Full time,competitive pay with great benets for someone

with SOFA status. Please apply with a resumeto [email protected] or by calling Pam

at 263-3597; resume may also be dropped off at the Girl Scout ofce in Bldng 533.

04 Nn skyn fry Z/350Z: Dark Metallic Grey, Nismo, auburn leather seats,Excellent condition, 20/19” VIP Luxury Wheels,HKS exhaust system, 4” tips, Drill/Slot Rotors,Power everything New JCI TV NAV Mini

96 Mtubth RvR: Excellent condition, new$300 battery, new $500 Alternator, newer tires,Power windows, AC & Heat work perfectly,retractable mirrors,keyless entry,car rack. JCIuntil Apr 2011, Road Tax paid until Mar 2011.$2000/OBO. Call Don at 09098404592;263-7648 or email: [email protected] (3)

94 Hn act; JCI to 23 Apr 11. Silver; goodcondition. $1,800 DSN 263-4354. (3)

93 Hn lgn: 110,000 Km / 68,000 Mi,Dark Blue, 4 Door Sedan, PW, PL, AC, PS,PB, Good Condition, Runs Good, JCI until Nov 2010, Avail 18 June 2010. $500.00. Call263-7495 (leave message) or email: [email protected] (4)

04 Ymh, YZf R1: Immaculate Condition,Drk Grey,13km, Carbon Fiber parts, Garage

kept,TOCE Extreme 4/quad pipe exhaust, Vortexracing sprocket/gold chain, Double wind screen,Pilot Power 2CT Tires, New JCI, Plus much more$7,800. PCSing: Call 090-8517-9568 (2)

Softbank cell phones, only 18 months old. Buyone or two. One is black Panasonic, other is pink Sharp. Both have text and camera. Optionalinternet and int'l calling packages available.English instructions, battery charger included.Cost $187 ea new. Yours for $90 each, or $150

for both. Call Tom at DSN 263-8349, or 080-3708-3281, pls lv msg. Or [email protected]. (2)

Mc tm:Canon EOS Rebel XS 18-55mm lenskit with BG-E5 grip and additional battery, likenew condition. Asking $450.00, Giant Escape R3Hybrid bicycle, brand new, never ridden, verylight and always kept indoors. Asking $400.00If interested in any of these items, please contactMike at [email protected] or at 090-6311-9177. (2)



sPoRTs & fiTNessTORII July 8, 2010 7www.torii.army.mil

Your Weekly Dose

Access to care at BG Sams U.S. Army

Health Clinic is avaialble 24/7. The clinic is not

open 24/7 but our triage line is available 24/7.When calling the clinic at 263-4127, our staff

will notify a provider who will call you back.

The provider will advise you if you can wait tillthe clinic opens, or if you need to seek medical

care at either Yokosuka Navy Hospital, Yokota

AFB Hospital or at a Host Nation Hospital or

Clinic.

Recently we have noticed an increase of

calls to the “911” number. This is the emergencynumber which activates the MPs, our ambulance,

EMTs and translators. Of course, if you have a

life threatening medical emergency such as chest

pain, difculty breathing, or trauma, please call

“911” on post or “119” off post. If you are feel-

ing sick, or have an injury that does not meet

the criteria for life, limb or eyesight, pleasecall the clinic rst at 263.4127 and push option

1 for triage nurse or 24/7 medical advice. Our

provider on call will advise you on what options

are available, such as Yokota AFB hospital,

Yokosuka Navy Hospital or a local Host Nation

clinic/hospital, in which case we would arrangefor a translator to assist you.

Sports Briefs

Holes 1, 5 change at CZGCEffective immediately, the following measures

are to be taken when hitting from Holes 1 and

5 at the Camp Zama Golf Course:

- Tee shots are “Irons Only” (no hybrids) from

range mats with xed tee height not to exceed

1/2 inch.

- Twenty-foot nets will be installed on Holes 1

and 5 during the week of June 21 through 27.

- The left edge of the cart path on Hole 1 is now

out of bounds. A drop area is in place for any

balls that go OB. Players must hit their fourth

shot from the drop area – no provisionals.

- Players who hit a ball over the net will be

suspended (see suspension policy below).

supnnPcy:exercise are helped to keep at it


Jordan Eugenio, aka Lil Jordan, tees off from Hole 1 at the Camp Zama Golf Course

during an 18-hole match held June 27 in which he participated with the NCAA Lady

All-Stars Team and members of the Camp Zama community.

NCAA All-Stars, Lil Jordan tee off at CZGCBy dutn Prry

Torii Editor

Ten college-level golf phenoms and one

who has yet to reach his teens met June 27

at the Camp Zama Golf Course to play 18

holes with Soldier and civilian members of

the community.

The NCAA Lady All-Stars golf team was

in the middle of its 27th annual Asia Tour,

part of which includes tutorial clinics and

a match at the CZGC. The event happened

to coincide with a visit from 12-year-old

Jordan Eugenio, aka “Lil Jordan,” whose tal-

ent for both the sport and performing music

has led him to be dubbed “the Ambassador of Junior Golf and Hip-Hop.”

“The purpose of [this event] is to create

goodwill amongst the Soldiers and civilians

serving overseas and to give them a touch of

home life – and also to observe some really

good golf,” said Dale Jorgenson, director

of the CZGC. “A lot of these guys come

out every weekend and they play with the

same group – this kind of gets them out of

their element and allows them to play with

somebody new.”

Eugenio has been playing golf since hewas 2 years old, when his father Johnny

took him to the driving range at the Pebble

Beach Golf Links in California. Using a

sand wedge his father cut down to size,

Eugenio immediately began hitting 30-yard

drives straight down the eld: “It was just

natural,” he said.

“One of our friends was a part of this

program [before] and we wanted to support

the military because they protect us and

they’ve done so many things to change the

world,” said Eugenio.

The NCAA All-Star team is comprised

of collegiate players from schools that

include the University of California in Los

Angeles, Oregon State, Princeton, Yale,

Texas Tech, Indiana, Oregon, Tennessee

and San Francisco.



8 July 8, 2010 TORII

Travel & CulTure

‘Coast’ through summer at Fuji-Q Highland Theme Park

Photo illustration by Dustin Perry

By Dstin Py

Torii Editor

There is no shortage of thrills when aboard the Eejanaika, a 250-foot-

tall roller coaster with a maximum speed of 78 mph, but it is during

the full inversion – a gut-sinking, zero-gravity roll – when riders are likely

to experience a genuine life-ashing-before-their-eyes moment.

Eejanaika (translated roughly as “Ain’t it Great!”) is located within

Fuji-Q Highland, an amusement park situated near the base of Mount Fuji.

Tackling the coaster is enough to ll anyone’s adrenaline quota for the day,

but the park boasts a variety of additional attractions for all ages, making it

an ideal summer destination for any family.

Opened in 1961, Fuji-Q Highland is one of the most popular amusement

parks in Japan. Its current lineup of roller coasters is infamous among enthusi-

asts of the heart-pounding pastime. Aside from the aforementioned Eejanaika

– notable for being the world’s tallest and fastest “fourth-dimension” coaster,

of which only two exist – there is also the Fujiyama and Dodonpa.

When it was built in 1996, Fujiyama held the record as the world’s tallest

roller coaster. The 259-foot-tall steel monster sends riders on a three-and-

a-half-minute, 81 mph journey that includes hairpin turns and dizzying

drops.

Dodonpa, named for the notes used by taiko drummers, is an exhilarat-

ingly fast launch-type roller coaster. The ride begins in a tunnel with the

carriage and its passengers sat completely motionless. Hydraulic pumps

hiss, drowning out all sound except for a booming voice inside the tunnel

that begins a countdown. Then, the carriage rockets to a speed of 107 mph

in less than two seconds – the fastest speed ever for a roller coaster when

it was initially built.

There are two areas of the park dedicated to child-friendly attractions.

Thomas Land, named for the beloved blue tank engine, is lled with themedrides and play areas perfectly suited for younger visitors. Located near the

main entrance is Hamu Hamu Oukoku (“Ham Ham’s Kingdom”), a bright

and colorful world modeled after the popular Japanese animated rodent

Hamtaro. Ham Ham’s Kingdom includes the Hide and Seek Forest, a min-

iature Ferris wheel, the Rolling Wave Ham Ship (a theme park mainstay)

and the Great Fluffy Sky Adventure, a gentle rail coaster with possibly the

least-threatening name ever.

For those not looking to spend their whole trip zipping around the park

20 stories high at breakneck speeds, Fuji-Q Highland also includes within it

the Fujiyama Museum and anonsenwhere visitors can relax in the steaming

waters of a hot spring. Other non-coaster rides include the Haunted Hospital,

a large water tube slide and Gundam Crisis, a live performance featuring

characters from the popular anime series.

Fuji-Q Highland is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A one-day free-pass ticket, which al-

lows entry to any ride or attraction, costs 4,800 yen for adults, 4,300 yen

for students grades 1 through 12, and 3,500 yen for children ages 4 to 11.

After purchasing a ticket visitors must go to a booth near the entrance

where they have a picture “passport” taken, which must be shown to gain

entrance to a ride.

Getting there: From Odakyu-Sagamihara Station, go two stops to

Machida. Switch to the Yokohama Line and take that train to Hachioji Sta-

tion. Switch again to the Chuo Line and ride the train for approximately 45

minutes until you reach Otsuki Station. From there, switch once more to

the Fujikyuko Line, a dedicated line that will take you directly to the main

entrance of Fujikyu-Highland.

torii u.s. army garrison japan weekly newspaper, jul. 8, 2010 edition

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