CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa, Japan -- Last July, Marine Corps Bases Japan opened its doors to a college student from Tokyo, Fumiya Sato, allowing him to become the first Japanese intern for the G-5 Community Policy, Planning and Liaison, MCBJ office. Nearly a year later, the Government of Japan has done the same for Capt. John A. Sautter, a trial counsel lawyer serving with III Marine Expeditionary Force, affording him the opportunity to become the first Marine parliamentary intern in Tokyo.

Sautter interned with Hirofumi Hirano, the chairman of the Standing Committee on Security for the Japanese House of Representatives. Hirano also served as the Chief Cabinet Secretary for the former Prime Minister, which is the equivalent of the President’s White House Chief of Staff.

The two-week internship, held from April 10-24, was established by Dr. Robert Eldridge, the deputy assistant chief of staff with G-5, MCBJ. The internship allows officers to travel to mainland Japan and receive on-the-job training, develop relationships and gain experience in the GOJ.

“I believe in learning first hand,” said Eldridge. “The best way to teach a person about Japanese politics is to get them out of the office and let them interact with politicians.”

The G-5 o ffice wants to continually build bridges because relationships are vital and they must become stronger, according to Sautter.

“This internship puts Marines into direct contact with (GOJ) policy makers and politicians to allow them to tell the Marine story directly,” said Eldridge. “There is no Marine Corps representative in Tokyo, so he could become the go-to guy for a lot of things.”

Sautter stated that during his internship he was introduced to a lot of people and allowed to observe parliamentary meetings.

“This experience has opened up my eyes,” said Sautter. “I learned a lot about what Japanese people think, their culture and how everything comes together.”

To qualify for the program, applicants must be attached to III MEF, and are required to get a command endorsement, write an essay explaining their interest and complete an application.

Sautter was chosen for this internship because the Marine Corps wanted to send someone with passion and a desire to learn, said Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, commanding general of Marine Corps Base Camp Butler and deputy commander of MCBJ.

“He didn’t get lucky to get in, he made the cut,” said Talleri.

This experience was not only beneficial for Sautter as an individual; it also helped introduce the Marine Corps to Tokyo and helped the GOJ gain insight on American government processes.

“Most of the people I met had never seen a Marine before,” said Sautter. “They were very receptive.”

As part of the internship, Sautter was given a project to research some bills and compare the Corrupt Practices Act in America to the policies they are using in Japan.

Already Hirano’s office is requesting another Marine intern.

“I think Sautter went above and beyond the expectations with this internship,” said Eldridge. “You know it went well when you are asked when you’re going to send the next one.”