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	Japan Minister of Defense visits Yama Sakura 75 
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        <h1 class="title">Japan Minister of Defense visits Yama Sakura 75 </h1>
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                <div class="image-title">Japan Minister of Defense visits Yama Sakura 75</div>
                <div class="image-caption">Japan's Minister of Defense, Takeshi Iwaya, tours the command post during Yama Sakura 75 at Camp Higashi-Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan.  Iwaya visited the exercise and talked to U.S. Army and Japan Northern Army Soldiers about the significance of the alliance between the two forces. Yama Sakura is an annual, bilateral exercise that brings the two Armies together to strengthen their capabilities and share military tactics and techniques. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Erica Earl</div>
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                <div class="image-title">U.S. and Japan Strengthen Alliance at Yama Sakura 75</div>
                <div class="image-caption">America’s First Corps and Japan Northern Army Soldiers work together with the help of interpreters to communicate ideas and strategies during Yama Sakura 75 at Camp Higashi-Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan, Dec. 13, 2018. Over the course of the week-long bilateral exercise, the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force are working together in a simulation of the defense of Japan to strengthen the alliance and the capabilities of both countries’ forces. Multiple sections are participating in the exercise, including signal, clerical, legal, medical and intelligence personnel.</div>
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    <div><b>By Sgt. Erica Earl</b> <span class="date">/ Published Dec. 18, 2018</span></div>
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    CAMP HIGASHI-CHITOSE, Japan-- The Japan Minister of Defense, Takeshi Iwaya, visited Yama Sakura 75 at Camp Higashi-Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan, Dec. 15, 2018.<br /><br />Iwaya toured the facilities of the exercise and spoke to Soldiers from across America's First Corps and the Japan Northern Army about his appreciation of the forces' alliance and his gratitude for the two Armies to work closely together.<br /><br />Yama Sakura is a joint, bilateral exercise between the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and the U.S. Army, augmented by the U.S. Marines, Navy and Air Force. The exercise enhances the relationship between the U.S. and Japan through the exchange of ideas, techniques and tactics to keep the region secure. The exercise is a simulation of American forces deploying to aid in the defense of Japan.<br /><br />This is Iwaya's first visit to Yama Sakura as the Minister of Defense.<br /><br />As Minister of Defense, Iwaya oversees the Ministry of Defense, which is charged with preserving the independence and national security of Japan through the JGSDF.<br /><br />The Minister of Defense is appointed by the Prime Minister of Japan.<br />
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