What’s it like being stationed in Japan in the US ARMY?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 15:10:19 -0500

I have a chance to reenlist for Japan, and I was curious what it’s like? I’ve been to Germany and surrounding country’s, and I’m currently at fort Riley. I was just wondering what the day to day is like? I’m a 31B CPL (SPC P, just need to make points). Any information would be appreciated.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2021 3:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 15:38:04 -0500

CPL Private RallyPoint Member … I've never been there, but everyone I've spoken with really liked it in Japan. I'm not sure where you'll be- but Camp Zama in Japan is supposed to be a great assignment. The Tokyo area is really crowded, but once you get outside of the main town (urban megacity) it's a very scenic place.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2021 4:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 16:24:05 -0500

If you have the chance to reenlist for Japan and you haven't taken it yet, it's already gone. There is only a tiny detachment of MPs at Okinawa and Zama, Yokosuka isn't run by the Army. This is one of those situations where you jump when opportunity presents itself. If it's still there you need to jump on it because you will be missing the opportunity of a lifetime

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2021 4:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 16:26:19 -0500

Never been to Japan, but how many times will you get a chance to see and live in other countries in your life especially when you get out of the military. I say take it and see all the sites Japan has to offer.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Feb 4 at 2021 4:55 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 16:55:12 -0500

Mainland Japan, from all I've heard from Army, Navy & Marines is great - culturally and scenic wise. I have no idea what the current ratio of Yen to Dollar is, but when I was in Okinawa, the first time, and on the way home from Nam, it was great. When I was stationed there (Okinawa) in '74, not so good.
Nevertheless, personally I'd jump at a chance for mainland Japan.
SOME OF THIS MAY HAVE CHANGED, and remember, I was on Okinawa but the Japanese ran it:
Be aware, and PAY ATTENTION there are a lot of cultural rules that you (should) adapt to. School kids all wear yellow ballcaps - EXPRESS RIGHT-OF-WAY on ANY part of a road & not just intersections. Driving can be strange - when I was in Okinawa, the Japanese police explained that locals can "jump" a red light turning to green, but we could NOT. Also at a 4-way stop, the rule was, "Whoever smiles AND nods first, HAS THE RIGHT-OF-WAY. If you ship a car over, it's best that it's a small or mid-size car. "Back when," large cars were worth a LOT; BUT you cannot sell an US car until after it's been there for a number of YEARS.
CAUTION: Drugs are a HUGE no-no! When we caught a GI with even a tiny "roach" marijuana, the law was we had to turn him over to the local police. (I never did because they'd end up in a tiny jail cell with a bucket for a toilet and be in often for 24 hours/day. I usually wrote them up for Disorderly Conduct and would tip of their 1SG with the details. Otherwise, they would not get access to anyone, attorney or unit reps, for WEEKS and reportedly, the sentences were pretty long prison time. Fortunately, I never ran into anyone dumb enough to have enough to deal - that would've been a whole different ballgame.)

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 4 at 2021 5:20 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:20:26 -0500

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU63pRq_yMo&t=23s

Anthony Bourdain No Reservations S04E16 Tokyo

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2021 5:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:43:32 -0500

Depends on where you’ll be stationed. When I was in the navy I was stationed in mainland Japan and I loved it. I was a civilian in Okinawa and if I had a chance to go back I’ll never leave. Okinawans aren’t that fond of military due to the constant issues they present, but if you’re in any trouble they’ll help you in a heartbeat. Japan is a great duty station to get. Plus you can hop on the mac flight and go to other countries. Enjoy your stay and learn a lot when you can.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Feb 4 at 2021 5:56 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:56:17 -0500

My sons best friend is stationed there and he preferred Japan over Hawaii!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Feb 4 at 2021 8:54 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 20:54:49 -0500

CPL Private RallyPoint Member My dentist was assigned to Japan during his two year tenure in the USAF. Many of the SNCOs he treated were appreciative of his services. A phone call to many of them would result in a flight to “?” for a weekend.

Response by Wayne Soares made Feb 4 at 2021 8:58 PM

Wayne Soares — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 20:58:07 -0500

Thanks for the share Bud

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2021 8:57 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 20:57:40 -0500

2 tours, Oki and Fuji and loved them both but I like Fuji better and it was close to Tokyo.