Members of the 陸上自衛隊 中部方面隊 along with Soldiers from 25th Infantry Division participated in the Yama Sakura 81 closing ceremony at Camp Itami Dec. 12. This ends the successful 40th iteration of the exercise, and closing remarks were given by Lt. Gen. Shin Nozawa, 陸上自衛隊 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Middle Army commander, and Col Jeffrey A. VanAntwerp, 25th Infantry Division deputy commander for operations. Also in attendance was Maj. Gen. JB Vowell, U.S. Army Japan commanding general. Following the remarks by Nozawa and VanAntwerp, an award ceremony and group photo were held. Yama Sakura 81 is the largest U.S.-Japan bilateral and joint command post exercise which enables participants to work as dedicated partners in support of the U.S.-Japan security alliance and for continued peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. This year's exercise commemorates the 40th anniversary of Yama Sakura. U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Donovan Zeanah