October 18-21, 2009, Yakushima - The U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka worked with the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan on a U.S. Navy ship visit to Yakushima. This marked the first visit by a U.S. Navy ship to Yakushima, an island off of Kagoshima in Western Japan, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich flora, including ancient Japanese Cedars.

The visit by the USS Defender, an Avenger Class Minesweeper based in San Diego, provided a unique opportunity to thank members of local communities, who provided extraordinary assistance when an American Citizen went missing on a neighboring island early this year. At that time, the local town office, police and fire brigade from Yakushima, and regular citizens who volunteered their time, took part in an exhaustive three-week search. Many of those who contributed to the search were able to attend an Oct. 19 pier side reception that included a special tour of the ship and a chance to spend an evening with its American crew members.

USS Defender Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Patrick O'Mahoney, presented two of the local volunteers, who gave up their livelihoods for several weeks to assist in the search, special plaques to recognize their contributions to strengthening US-Japanese ties. In an effort to further repay the generosity of the Yakushima community, more than 40 USS Defender Crew members accompanied by U.S. Consulate staff, took part in an Oct. 20 cleanup of Inakahama Beach, a vital nesting ground for endangered loggerhead sea turtles.