I worked for the Marine Corps in Okinawa for about 6 years and loved it and all of Japan. I was very conscious about the Japanese culture (and how different it was from the US culture).
Sometime around 2003, I was in an airport in mainland Japan, waiting to catch a flight back to Okinawa. In the waiting area were a number of Japanese, sitting quietly. Several rowdy Marines entered the area and instead of waiting patiently for their flight to Okinawa, they began playing hacky sack, occasionally having to apologize to the Japanese folks patiently waiting who got hit with the hacky sack.
As I was standing watching the show, and feeling a little embarrassed, an American man and an ambiguous person walked up beside me.
I could not tell what sex the ambiguous person was — shorter than me, very short dyed blond hair, and enough metal on “their” face and head - I thought “they” had fallen into a tackle box. I could not tell the age of the ambiguous person — could have been 25-50. The man was a very conventional middle aged American. I wondered what in the hell were they doing here and why were they headed to Okinawa. I also wondered what they thought about the Marines disrupting the traditional decorum in this Japanese airport.
I wanted to speak to them, but I am an extreme introvert. Anyway, we all flew to Okinawa.
The Marines rejoined their units and continued to do the outstanding things that Marines do.
When I got off the plane, I was told that Joan Jett was on the same flight! I missed a golden opportunity! That ambiguous person was Joan Jett - she was coming to do a concert for the Marines on Okinawa.
Addendum ... On another layover in Japan, the Doobie Brothers and Buddy Guy — on separate tours in Japan - were both in the same airport lounge as me. I got Buddy’s autograph.
I had a similar encounter with Al Stewart... He was playing at a cabaret in Cotati CA.. I bought a ticket and sat down at a bar across the street waiting for the show.. He came in and sat next to me, I had no idea as I didn’t know what he looked like... he began asking questions about the college nearby I was attending, Sonoma State... he drank a beer and was chatting away (his leather pants and Scottish accent should have clued me, but I was dense). I told him I was waiting on the Al Stewart concert across the street at the cabaret and he was like “Oh yeah... what’s your favorite song?” “Year of the Cat”.. and he goes.. “that’s a good one.” He left and I finished up my beer and left too... Sure enough, there he was on stage when the show started. I was slightly embarrassed I’ll admit... Into the concert he pointed at me and said “you’ll recognize this one.”... and that piano intro started.... must admit I nearly cried..
My father was with the Sixth Marine Division for about 6 weeks in 1945 (until he was wounded). I’m pretty sure the Marines did not get to see any concerts during that time.