Once again from the bottom of our hearts, thank you all so much for the love and support during our time in Japan!

Beginning August 23, our X account will be managed by our parent organization, U.S. Army Japan, in order to comply with Department of Defense instructions. After August 23, we will no longer be able to reply to messages or comments. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Nicholas Smith

Thank you for supporting us during the 79 years that we have called Japan home. We will never forget the love and kindness from the people of Japan!

We held a ceremony marking the completion of our musical strategic mission in Japan. Although we are physically leaving Japan, our hearts shall forever remain with the people of Japan. U.S. Army photos by Sergeant Nicholas Smith

A Japanese news agency recently wrote an article about our upcoming inactivation. https://t.co/yXLcLX1vy1 via @zakdesk

It was quite difficult to say さようなら after Zama City Mayor Sato Mito thanked the remaining member of the U.S. Army Japan Band for supporting the local community since the band arrived in Japan in 1955. U.S. Army photos by Sergeant Nicholas Smith

On July 18, 2012, the U.S. Army granted the 296th Army Band the official designation of United States Army Japan Band. While we still retain the original 296th Army Band designation, our current designation makes our mission in Japan more clear to those that hear our music.

We gave our final public performances in Kyoto Prefecture, celebrating the strength of community at JGSDF Camp Fukuchiyama and JASDF Kyogamisaki Missile Sub Base. U.S. Army photos by Sergeant Nicholas Smith

This week, we participated in the annual Tokyo Lunchtime Concert Series for the final time. Over the past two decades, we’ve used the concert series to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations through music. U.S. Army photos by Sergeant Nicholas Smith

Today, we give thanks to the 56 brave men who on this day in 1776, declared that America would be free and independent. We are proud to be Americans, citizens of the nation that is the beacon of freedom for the world. Happy 248th American Independence Day!

This was also the final open-post event that we will participate in before our upcoming inactivation ceremony in August. However, we do have one final public performance coming up later this month, so please stay tuned to hear from us in Kyoto Prefecture! (2/2)

Thank you to the almost 16,000 people who attended the 2024 American Independence Celebration! Together with our Japanese partners, we can ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains free and open for all. (1/2) U.S. Army photos by Sergeant Nicholas Smith

Our final open-post performances are coming up very soon! Please join us this Saturday afternoon to see us perform as Camp Zama celebrates 248 years of American Independence! If you have any questions that the poster below doesn’t answer, please message us. We hope to see you!

Today, we bid farewell to Sagamihara City as we prepare to leave Japan. We are incredibly thankful for the many years of support and trust from the citizens of Sagamihara City! U.S. Army photos by Sergeant Nicholas Smith

We were grateful to represent Zama City in a concert celebrating 10 years of Zama City being a sister city with Akita Prefecture’s Daisen City. Music brings people together, keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and open for all. U.S. Army photos by Sergeant Nicholas Smith

Since June 14, 1775, the U.S. Army has been a beacon of liberty and freedom for all the world. Happy Birthday, U.S. Army!

We’re incredibly grateful to haven a part of the Sagamihara City community for nearly 70 years. Thank you for allowing us to use music to deepen the bond between the citizens of Sagamihara City and the U.S. Army! U.S. Army photos by Sergeant Nicholas Smith

We recently partnered with the Kyotango City International Association to represent the Soldiers of the nearby U.S. Army 14th Missile Defense Battery, which celebrated its 10th year of operations in the area. U.S. Army photos by Sergeant Nicholas Smith

On the final Monday of the month of May, we’re reminded of the immense cost of the freedom: the lives of those who died in defense of our Nation. Because of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, many around the world are free to live their lives in peace. Freedom is never free.

We are grateful to be able to travel across Japan and throughout the Indo-Pacific region because we can use music to speak and connect with the hearts of those we encounter, making positive changes in unique and powerful ways. U.S. Army photos by Sergeant Nicholas Smith