MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Government of Japan and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni officials gathered for the ground breaking ceremony of Atagoyama Baseball Field in Iwakuni City, Japan, Oct. 15, 2015.
The Government of Japan purchased Atagoyama in March of 2012 in support of the Iwakuni Runway Relocation Project. The site provided the dirt and sand used to construct Iwakuni’s new runway. Atagoyama Baseball Field is a thank you to the city for their understanding and cooperation in the continuing support of the presence and operations of the U.S. military installation.
“The facility at Atagoyama is designed for the shared use with local citizens,” said Yoshihiko Fukuda, mayor of Iwakuni City. “This baseball field meets the standards to host the official games of Japan High School baseball tournament.”
Fukuda also said it’s a dream of Iwakuni citizens to have such a facility that allows the community to come together and enjoy games. The ceremony not only represented the construction of the baseball field but future relationships with the U.S. and a model for international relations.
“The U.S. base has earned a wonderful relationship with the local community for years and has been a good neighbor in the shared community of Iwakuni,” said Motonari Hatahara, a chairman for the Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly. “I hope the new facility is a symbol of continuing U.S. – Japan relations.”
A first pitch demonstrated the special bond between Iwakuni City and the air station. Mayor Fukuda pitched a signed baseball to Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
“All the progress we see here should be credited to the continuing efforts by Chugoku Shikoku Defense Bureau Director General and the support of Colonel Boucher who extends extraordinary consideration in favor of the U.S. - Japan friendship, and to officials working in Defense Policy Renew Initiative,” said Fukuda.
DPRI provides direction for the planning and execution of military buildouts across the Pacific Region. Brian Wottowa, director of DPRI, said this project is a great example of the positive relationship the U.S. forces have in Iwakuni.
“Looking at the awesome friendship displayed at the ceremony, the people smiling, exchanging information, it really is a textbook example of what an alliance should be,” said Wottowa. “We are very proud to be a part of this transformation here and the developing bonds with the host nation that will pay dividends well into the future.”
Atagoyama Baseball Field is scheduled to be completed in Japanese fiscal year 2017.