Sharing Christlike Kindness at Friendship Festivals

Each year in Japan, hundreds of thousands of people stand for hours in long lines, waiting to enter one of many US Military Base Friendship Festivals. Some of these are the largest airshow or naval display events provided in the Pacific Rim. They have become a popular way for young families and friends to spend time together. Having a lot of food options and unique photo opportunities has also made them popular.

These community outreach and hosting events are provided by US military facilities in Japan. They are a means to foster goodwill between the military base and the community. They occur at different times of the year, depending upon the location. In early spring, the Friendship Festival is typically held at the Marine Corps Air Base in Iwakuni, near Hiroshima. In May, it is held at Yokota Air Base, near Tokyo. Camp Zama has a Friendship Festival in the spring and also a 4^th of July celebration called the Red, White, and Boom event (also near Tokyo). In September, a smaller event is held at the Misawa Air Base located at the north end of Japan. For a Naval Base experience, the Yokosuka Naval Base has a Spring Festival, a 4th of July Fireworks event, and a Friendship Festival in mid-October.

These festivals provide a great opportunity to introduce a large number of people to the church in a non-invasive, non-threatening way. Offering free bottled water, fans, snacks and other items for relief from the hot weather, while waiting in line, is one way of introducing the gospel. Along with these items, printed information about Jesus Christ, the Church, the Book of Mormon, Family History and Genealogy, Temples, as well as many other Church organizations, programs, and services can be shared. Instead of providing a church pavilion like the one during the 1970 World’s Fair in Osaka, Japan, members can extend offerings and information to those standing in line for the Friendship Festivals. This approach allows members to serve the community without feeling obligated or nervous about sharing the gospel. It is a simple approach to showing love for our neighbors as the Savior did.

This year, at the May 18th-19th, 2024 Friendship Festival held at Yokota Air Base, about 30 members and several missionaries from the Fussa and Yokota Wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered together to serve the community, offering water bottles, snacks, and tissue packs to those waiting in line. It provided a way to serve and share the gospel by a simple act of kindness.

That morning, three lines formed at the one gate designated for access onto the air base. Each of these lines was nearly 2 kilometers long, going in each direction. Access to the entrance was provided by 3 different train stations.  The Yokota Friendship Festival reported that over 303,000 visitors attended the event in a two-day period. Visitors from local and distant communities traveled to attend the event. Many people lined up the night before, or in the early morning hours before the gates were opened.

In preparation for the outreach service project, items were gathered at the local Yokota/Fussa Ward building earlier in the week. With supporting funds provided by the Communication Department of the Asia North Area, 2000 water bottles, 2000 snacks, and over 10,000 pocket tissue packs with information about meeting times and locations were provided for distribution.

On the morning of the event, an orientation meeting was held, and prayer was offered. Previously made assignments were verified and distribution vehicles loaded for departure to three locations. Because of traffic, most of the volunteers walked or carpooled to assigned locations to begin handing out the gifts to those in line. The items were intended to be distributed over a two-day period. However, everyone was surprised when all of the items were given out to eager and interested individuals within 5 hours.

Based on previous years of experience, where one of the festival lines came up the sidewalk in front of the church building, the Family History Center located near the entrance to the Church was prepared for use. Elder and Sister Aikawa (Asia North Area Temple & Family History Missionaries) volunteered to staff and share Family Search and genealogy information with those interested.

During the event, those in line were happy to accept the handouts from members and volunteer groups pulling a wagonload of items to be offered. It was wonderful to see member families with small children handing out treats to local families and other attendees.

We are taught to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Once you feel the love of God, you naturally wish to share it. In 1 John 4:19 it reads, “We love him, because he first loved us”. Then in verse 21 it states, “And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.” In the spirit of love, share, and invite, we find that honest love and charity towards others starts by loving God and doing his will to help others. It does not include any expectation of reward. It is pure love, a Christlike love that we freely offer because of our love for Him.

As we prepare the world for the Saviors return by helping to gather Israel, we can see and act on the opportunities around us to find those who are His lost sheep. Most often, our efforts to help find the Lord’s lost sheep are by small and simple acts of kindness, one by one. However, sharing kindness to thousands at festivals like these provides a great opportunity to plant seeds which may eventually bear fruit. It is a wonderful way for others to feel God’s love for them. Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles stated recently, "Our job is to love—to love and minister in such a way that others are drawn to Jesus Christ. This is one of the fruits of the powerful, virtuous cycle of the doctrine of Christ."