On 19 Oct. (Tue), JAAGA president Tsumagari and 5 JAAGA secretariats visited Lt.Gen. Edward A.Rice, commander of US Forces in Japan and Fifth Air Force, at Yokota Air Base in order to ask him as JAAGA honorary member.　Gen.Rice will leave his position after the change of command ceremony on 25 Oct..　The commission ceremony of JAAGA honorary membership was held at Yokota AB officers club and took luncheon there with JAAGA members and Gen.Rice.
　　In the ceremony, president Tsumagari handed JAAGA honorary membership plaque to Gen.Rice and he received it. Then General said "It's my honor to accept the commission for the JAAGA honorary member, thank you very much." The topics of the luncheon were as follow, successful JAAGA delegation to AFA Annual Convention, interchanging with JAAGA honorary members in Washington DC., San Antonio where Gen.Rice will move to, Japanese foods, Sumo-wrestling, Syochu and Japanese Sake, playing golf and others.
　　President expressed appreciation to Gen.Rice "Thank you very much for attending the luncheon despite the busy", then Gen.Rice replied "Today I could take time to relax before leaving Japan and spend time with you, thank you so much.　I am very happy to be JAAGA honorary member. I will definitely bring the membership plaque back to US. and decollate it in my new office."　　(reported by secretariat Minamoto)