MCCS Iwakuni kicks off U.S. Japan children’s soccer tournament - Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and local Japanese residents play soccer during the U.S.-Japan youth soccer tournament at Suo-Oshima, Japan, Oct. 21, 2018. Marine Corps Community Services Iwakuni's youth sports program organized the event as part of its mission to provide children ages three to 15 chances to participate in a variety of sports. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Seth Rosenberg)

Col. Richard F. Fuerst, station commanding officer for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, addresses station residents and Japanese locals during the U.S-Japan Children Soccer event at the Suo-Oshima Athletic Field in Suo-Oshima, Japan, Oct. 1, 2016. As part of a good keeping with the U.S.-Japan relationship, soccer was used to break the barrier of communication through words and teach children communication through actions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - Col. Richard F. Fuerst, station commanding officer for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, addresses station residents and Japanese locals during the U.S-Japan Children Soccer event at the Suo-Oshima Athletic Field in Suo-Oshima, Japan, Oct. 1, 2016. As part of a good keeping with the U.S.-Japan relationship, soccer was used to break the barrier of communication through words and teach children communication through actions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Cyclists race toward the finish line during the Special Olympics Hiroshima at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 4, 2015. This sporting program helps instill confidence, inspire competitors, and improve athlete health through the transformative power of sports. - Cyclists race toward the finish line during the Special Olympics Hiroshima at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 4, 2015. This sporting program helps instill confidence, inspire competitors, and improve athlete health through the transformative power of sports.

Japanese and American children, coaches and government officials pose for a picture the Japan-U.S. Friendship Kid's Soccer Event coordinated by the Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau at the Suo-Oshima Town Athletics Track and Field in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 27, 2015. Twenty-five children from the station, ages 7-10, integrated with 20 Japanese children from schools in the local area to learn about each other’s culture, do warm up drills and compete in a tournament. This soccer meet gave the opportunity for the children to interact, which helps strengthen the friendship between the Japanese and Americans. - Japanese and American children, coaches and government officials pose for a picture the Japan-U.S. Friendship Kid's Soccer Event coordinated by the Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau at the Suo-Oshima Town Athletics Track and Field in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 27, 2015. Twenty-five children from the station, ages 7-10, integrated with 20 Japanese children from schools in the local area to learn about each other’s culture, do warm up drills and compete in a tournament. This soccer meet gave the opportunity for the children to interact, which helps strengthen the friendship between the Japanese and Americans.