YOKOSUKA, Japan – U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Far East (NCTSFE) will be awarded the Zenkokai Award or Good Conduct Award from the Government of Japan for their extensive community service with the Shinsen Children’s Home.
NCTSFE has sponsored Shinsen Children’s Home since 1998 and was previously awarded the Zenkokai Award in 2000, 2013, and 2014. The NCTSFE Shinsen Committee, along with Master Labor Contract and United States civil service volunteers, visits the home as many as 12 times a year.
NCTSFE was recognized for its numerous contributions to the home by their Shinsen Committee during which Sailors provided property maintenance and upkeep services, and hosted numerous events for the Shinsen children and staff on board Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka throughout the year. These events include seasonal Friendship Days, the annual NCTS FE Children’s Christmas Party and Halloween trick-or-treating. Shinsen Children’s Home opened its doors for the semiannual Heart Festival and the Thanksgiving Turkey Delivery, where Sailors enjoy food and festivities with the children and staff.
The Zenkokai Award is presented to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions toward the betterment of the community relationship and strengthening ties with Japan. The award is broken down into four categories: juvenile, emergency and international contributions, as well as a special foreigner's category. Founded in 1951, the non-profit Zenkokai Association under control of the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan opened the prestigious award to foreigners in 1955 to recognize acts of good conduct in the local community.
Among this year’s U.S. Navy group category recipients, NCTSFE ranked first. Other group category recipients include: Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Security Department, USS John S. McCain First Class Petty Officer Association, and Naval Air Facility Misawa First Class Petty Officer Association.
The 66th annual presentation ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016, from 1330 to 1530 JST at the Sanshuden meeting hall of the Meiji-Jingu Shrine in Tokyo.