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Japan Self-Defense Forces host Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course (1) of (4)

Participants from the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course view a traditional swordsmanship demonstration at the Japanese base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. The Japan Self-Defense Forces hosted the second gathering of senior enlisted members to share their culture and mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed 

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Japan Self-Defense Forces host Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course (2) of (4)

Senior enlisted members from Japan, Djibouti and the U.S. join in a traditional Eisa dance during the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japanese base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. Eisa is a traditional dance, unique to Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, and is performed during seasonal festivals to honor and thank ancestors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed 

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Japan Self-Defense Forces host Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course (3) of (4)

Senior enlisted members from Japan, Djibouti and the U.S. join in a traditional Eisa dance during the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japanese base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. Eisa is a traditional dance, unique to Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, and is performed during seasonal festivals to honor and thank ancestors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed 

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Japan Self-Defense Forces host Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course (4) of (4)

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Maj. Hisashi Nakajima introduces himself to other attendees of the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japanese base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. Members from Japan, Djibouti and the U.S. gathered to learn about Japanese history, culture and mission to help attendees better understand their multicultural allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed 

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - More than 30 members from Japan, Djibouti and the U.S. gathered on the Japan Self-Defense Force base for anti-piracy operations in Djibouti, to attend a Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course, Nov. 24, 2015.

The JFSEPDC is a multinational course aimed at mentoring and educating senior enlisted leaders serving with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonnier and allied forces.

The JSDF welcomed the senior leaders to their base and started the events with a presentation on Japan's geography, climate, history, recent political movements, and culture specific customs.

 “I learned many things about Japan’s history and culture,” said Adjutant Chief Ibrahim Dafeh, Artillery Regiment, Djiboutian Armed Forces, who visited the Japanese base for the first time.

The course attendees then moved to a gymnasium for more interactive cultural lessons to include a traditional swordsmanship demonstration and an Okinawan drum dance known as Eisa.

“I enjoyed the dancing,” said Dafeh. “It was good they shared their culture with us and it was much appreciated.”

To end the night, the JSDF hosted a social with a variety of traditional Japanese foods and displays of individual talent such as calligraphy and origami.

“The goal was to have everyone understand Japan,” said Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Command Sgt. Maj. Ryuichi Ueda. “It is important to understand each other. The more we share, the better we can work together.”