SEAS Participants Visit Okinawa

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April 12-15, 2006

Okinawa Governor Inamine addresses SEAS participants who recently visited the Okinawa Prefectural Government building as part of their stay on the island.

A SEAS participant queries Governor Inamine during the delegation's visit to the Okinawa Prefectural Government building.

On April 12-15, approximately 25 participants in the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Pacific Command -sponsored Symposium on East Asia Security (SEAS) visited Okinawa. The visit was arranged locally by the Consulate General and the Okinawa Area Field Office (OAFO).

 SEAS is an intensive three week program that offers participants from the Asia-Pacific region the opportunity to share perspectives on security issues of importance to their nations. In addition to Honolulu, Tokyo and Naha, the group will visit South Korea, China and the Philippines. 

This year, security and defense officials from the following countries participated in the Okinawa program: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam. 

While on the island, the group received briefings/tours from the Air Force at Kadena Air Base, Third Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) at Camp Courtney, and the Navy’s White Beach. The group also received briefings from the Japan Self Defense Force at Naha Base. In addition, the group visited the Okinawa Prefectural Government, where they met Okinawa Governor Inamine, Shuri Castle, and the Okinawa Peace Memorial. Consul General Thomas G. Reich also hosted a reception to introduce the group to Okinawan politicians, academicians, and business leaders.