Community News Briefs

By U.S. Army Garrison Japan Public AffairsJuly 31, 2024

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The following news briefs are provided to help keep our community informed about what’s happening on our U.S. Army Garrison Japan installations.

To submit your information for publication, email full details (who, what, when, where, why and how, along with contact information) to usag.japan@gmail.com.

Bon Odori Festival – Aug. 3

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Bon Odori Flea Market – Aug. 3

During Camp Zama’s Bon Odori Festival 2024, MWR will also be hosting a FLEA Market from 1 to 9 p.m. on the east side JED parking lot. Come to Camp Zama Outdoor Recreation to register ($25 per table). For more information, call 263-5316 or 046-407-5316.

Vacation Bible School – Aug. 5-9

The Camp Zama Religious Support Office will host the annual Vacation Bible School Aug. 5-9. See full details below.

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ACS Family Advocacy Program Class Calendar – Through Aug. 27

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‘TEENnichiwa’ Youth Sponsorship Program – Aug. 9

Are you or someone you know between the ages of 13 to 18 and new to Japan?

This program is just for you! Explore your new community and make friends at our upcoming event. We’ll be touring Camp Zama, SHA, Atsugi and surrounding areas, giving you a firsthand look at all the exciting opportunities and activities available.

Don’t miss out on this chance to connect and discover together!

Back-to-School Events

Here is some back-to-school information from our friends at Zama Middle High School. Please contact the school at DSN 263-3181 (046-407-3181 from a cellphone) for more information.

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Yano Pool Summer Closure – Through Aug. 30

Yano Pool will be closed through Aug. 30. For more information, check out the flyer below or call 263-4664 or 046-407-4664.

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School Registration for 2024-25 School Year

Re-registration has started for Arnn Elementary and Zama Middle High School. Preregistration for bus transportation is also available. An email with this information has also been sent to parents. Also, see the flyer below for information on how to register your child for universal pre-kindergarten!

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Driver’s Education Course – Aug. 14-18

Our partners at nearby Naval Air Facility Atsugi are hosting a driver’s education course in August. Please find all information on the MWR Naval Air Facility Atsugi website: navymwratsugi.com.

Good Neighbors – ‘Quiet Hours Reminder’

To our community: Please be reminded that our U.S. Army Garrison Japan installations – including our housing areas – follow a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. “quiet hours” policy. Please be respectful of your on- and off-post neighbors! Thank you.

Army ROTC Scholarships Available

For upcoming high school seniors, there are three Army ROTC National Scholarship opportunity deadlines this school year to turn in an application. The final day to begin an application to be considered for a 2024-2025 scholarship is March 4, 2025.

Important dates include:

Oct. 24, 2024 – First scholarship opportunity deadline

Jan. 20, 2025 – Second scholarship opportunity deadline

March 17, 2025 – Third and final scholarship opportunity deadline.

For more information, to see the criteria to apply, and to answer questions, visit: https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/rotc/scholarships.

AR 608-18 Mandated Training – Ongoing

The Camp Zama Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program offers AR 608-18-mandated training every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Camp Zama ACS building. Training focuses on: Differences between ACS/FAP and Clinical FAP; Child Abuse Prevention, Recognizing and Reporting; Domestic Abuse Prevention, Recognizing and Reporting; Information Regarding Victim Advocacy Program; Suicide Prevention & Hotline Information. To register for a class, please contact Hilary Kouzu at DSN: 263-5084 (046-407-5084 from a cellphone) or email isaka.h.kouzu.ctr@army.mil.

Voting Resources

 The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) works to ensure service members, civilians, retirees and their eligible family members are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so from anywhere in the world.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program exists to:

- Assist voters to exercise their right to vote.

- Assist the states in complying with relevant federal laws by providing current information.

- Reduce obstacles to ensure military and overseas voting success.

How to Vote Absentee from Abroad:

https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter/overview

How to Vote Absentee in the Military:

https://www.fvap.gov/military-voter/overview

Voting Assistance Guide:

https://www.fvap.gov/guide

Your USARJ Voting Assistance Officer (VAO) is CW2 Anthony J. White and your USAGJ VAOs are Cedric Davis and Dave Pulliam. They can answer any additional questions you may have or walk you through the registration/absentee ballot process. Feel free to contact them for more information.

Disability-Reserved Parking Placard Requirement

Please note that you must have a U.S. Army Garrison Japan or other U.S Forces Japan installation-issued parking placard to utilize disability-reserved parking on our facilities. Stateside-issued or locally purchased placards are not authorized for use. Anyone requiring an official placard should submit a written request through the U.S. Army Garrison Japan Vehicle Registration Office with a medical certificate (or Japanese disability ID card) verifying the necessity for the placard and the license plate, make, model and color of the vehicle it will be used with. Please call 263-4810 (046-407-4810 from a cellphone) for more information.

U.S. Army MEDDAC-Japan Updates

** Patient Portal Prescription Refills – You can now use the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal to request most prescription refills. This new feature applies to every military hospital and clinic worldwide. With MHS GENESIS you can: ✔️View Prescriptions for Refill; ✔️Request Prescription Refill; ✔️Select Refill Pickup Location; and ✔️Monitor Refill Status. Read more here: https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/3708208.

** U.S. Army Japan Civilian Health Care Navigator Program – Looking for appointment options for non-Tricare patients? Look no further! You can now reach out to the US Army Japan Civilian Health Care Navigator Program at Zama General Hospital. Just dial 090-1405-2695 from a Japanese phone or +81-90-1405-2695 from a U.S. phone. U.S. Army Japan translators are available at Zama General Hospital every Monday to Friday (excluding US or Japanese holidays) between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to assist the Camp Zama civilian population in scheduling an appointment (via phone or in person) and in getting free translation services for their entire visit.

You can view a video on the program at https://www.dvidshub.net/video/909467/meddac-japan-civilian-health-care-navigator-program.

You can also visit https://www.usarj.army.mil/Medical-Services/Host-Nation-Medical-Options/ for more information.

Off-Post Medical Options

U.S. Army Japan has a link to its homepage offering information on off-post medical clinics and hospitals that offer bilingual services.

Find the latest information here: https://www.usarj.army.mil/Medical-Services/Host-Nation-Medical-Options/.

Parenting Support Programs – Ongoing

Army Community Services offers several parenting-focused classes and groups to assist our community.

Army Community Services offers several parenting-focused classes and groups to assist our community.

They include:

** New Parent Support Program – Assisting all military families with children up to age 3. Services include: home visits; breastfeeding information; prenatal classes; parenting classes; play groups; and baby bundle care packages. This service is free for active-duty service members and their families who meet the criteria (expecting a child; have a child up to 3 years old).

** Parenting 101 – This program meets the first Wednesday of each month from 10 to 11 a.m. in the ACS Building on Camp Zama (Bldg. 402). Study topics include child safety first; healthy bodies; the Purple Crying Program; shaken baby syndrome; and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

** Perinatal Support Group – This group meets the second Wednesday of each month from 10 to 11 a.m. in the ACS Building on Camp Zama (Bldg. 402). It was created to provide additional support to those expecting a baby. It’s a great way to discuss your pregnancy experience, connect with other parents, and learn about beneficial resources.

** Screaming-Free Parenting – Parenting can be tough, so join us the third Wednesday of each month from 10 to 11 a.m. in the ACS Building on Camp Zama (Bldg. 402). This program focuses on balancing discipline with affection; praising your child for good behavior; and effective communication.

** ACS Play Group – This program meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Educational and Developmental Intervention Services office at Arnn Elementary School. It’s designed for children up to 3 years of age to learn, play and make new friends. It also allows parents to connect and socialize. Please call ACS at 263-4357 (046-407-4357 from a cellphone) if you have questions about any of these programs.

Celebrate Recovery – Every Thursday

The U.S. Army Garrison Japan Religious Support Office is offering a new 12-step program, “Celebrate Recovery,” to assist with issues including chemical dependency, alcoholism, family dysfunction, and others. Please call DSN 263-4898, or 046-407-4898 from a cellphone, for more information.

Points of Contact for Zama Community Spouses’ Association – Ongoing

If you have any questions about the Zama Community Spouses’ Association, would like to reach out, or would like to inquire about ZaCSA information, there are a number of email addresses you can contact:

zacsa.president@gmail.com

zacsa.vicepresident@gmail.com

zacsa.newsletter@gmail.com

zacsa.peopletopeople@gmail.com

Zama Killer Katanas (Women’s Roller Derby) – Ongoing

Are mainstream sports too tame for you? Do you want to make friends in a competitive, supportive, and ridiculously fun league? Zama Killer Katanas roller derby team is actively recruiting new players and skating/non-skating volunteers! No experience necessary, and we have loaner gear to get you started.

Practice is Tuesday/Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reach out to zamakillerkatanas@gmail.com for more info or find us on Facebook!

And if you haven’t seen it yet, check out this great video on the team: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/921440/roller-derby-team-provides-fun-competitive-outlet-community-members.

Girl Scout Volunteers

Want to make a difference here at Zama? Camp Zama Girl Scouts are looking for volunteers to join the fun and support Girl Scouts in all they do! You could lead a badge activity, take Girl Scouts hiking or to explore new places, help at troop meetings, and more. With your unique skills and interests, you’ll help Girl Scouts become stronger, kinder, and braver than they ever thought possible. Reach out to zamagirlscouts@usagso.org to learn more!

Suicide Crisis Hotline

Please help share this important information!

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