30 YEARS
30 YEARS
NORIO AKIYAMA
MASATOSHI ABE
IT ASSISTANT
DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRER FOREMAN A
Norio Akiyama has worked for United States Forces Japan for 31 years. He started as a warehouse worker for the Commissary in 1990 before moving to the Civil Engineer Squadron working as pest control. In 1992 he started his job as an IT Assistant, working to troubleshoot systems. Mr. Akiyama can recall the early years when there were no computers in any offices. Now more than 30 years later, technology hasn’t been the only thing that’s evolved and changed. “Coming onto base everything looked like little old America – there has been big changes since.” Even though the environment and culture of Yokota has changed throughout the years, Mr. Akiyama’s favorite parts of his job have stayed the same. Working on computers, printers and restoring connections for personnel on base all while making his own personal connections along the way. “30 years is long, but to me it’s not really long – I’m glad to be here for so long and share the culture between Japan and the US.”
Masatoshi Abe was in technical school when he found an opening for appliance maintenance in Yokota’s Civil Engineer Squadron. Since 1990, Mr. Abe has worked for United States Forces Japan as a domestic appliance repairer. He remembers when the base buildings were built out of wood and when the Commissary and Exchange were separate buildings. But while Yokota has changed, the military families and their needs haven’t. Despite the language barrier, Mr. Abe still enjoys seeing happy customers after he’s fixed their appliances. He recalls, when he first started, his supervisor at the time was chosen to be recognized for this award. Now that it’s his turn – 30 years later, it’s a bittersweet feeling. Mr. Abe attributes his length of service to his supportive relationships and leadership, without them he wouldn’t be receiving this award for his service.
Force Support Squadron
Civil Engineer Squadron
