The United States, Japan, and Baseball

For over a century, baseball has been revered as America’s pastime, but its influence extends far beyond the United States. One of the most significant international connections forged through the sport has been between the United States and Japan. Long before World War II reshaped global relations, these two nations shared a deep love for baseball, creating a bond that, for a time, transcended political tensions.

Baseball took root in Japan in the early 20th century, quickly gaining popularity. Japanese college teams traveled to the United States for exhibition games, while American baseball stars visited Japan as goodwill ambassadors. In the 1930s, some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball, including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, toured Japan, thrilling fans and strengthening international camaraderie. When Ruth arrived in Tokyo in 1934, more than 100,000 Japanese fans gathered to greet him, showcasing the sport’s powerful cultural impact.
Despite growing political tensions between Japan and the U.S., baseball continued to serve as a bridge between the two nations. However, as the world edged closer to war, even baseball could not remain untouched by the rising discord.

By October 1940, Japan made deliberate moves to distance itself from American cultural influences. In an effort to nationalize the sport, the government removed English baseball terminology, replacing terms like “strike” and “out” with their Japanese equivalents. American-style team names such as the Giants, Tigers, and Senators were also replaced with distinctly Japanese names. What may have seemed like a minor change at the time was actually an early indicator of Japan’s intent to separate from Western influences as tensions escalated on the global stage.

Everything changed on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The assault devastated the United States, leading to its immediate entry into World War II. American sportswriters, who had long viewed baseball as a symbol of goodwill between the nations, struggled to reconcile the attack with the years of baseball diplomacy.
In the wake of Pearl Harbor, some sports journalists transformed their coverage into wartime propaganda, denouncing Japan and calling for the “gift of baseball” to be stripped away. Many compared the war to a baseball game, framing the conflict in terms that resonated with American audiences. One prominent writer stated, “Mr. Tojo will wake up some night with the feeling that he got into this thing with two strikes against him and Bob Feller having one hell of a day.” These words illustrated how deeply baseball was ingrained in American culture—even in times of war.

During World War II, many American baseball players, including legendary pitcher Bob Feller, put their careers on hold to serve in the military. Meanwhile, in Japan, the war disrupted the sport’s growth. However, once the war ended, baseball once again became a force for reconciliation. In the post-war years, the United States played a pivotal role in reviving professional baseball in Japan. American teams visited Japan for exhibition games, and the sport flourished once again, becoming an integral part of Japanese culture.
Today, baseball remains a cherished sport in both nations, symbolizing the resilience of their shared history. Despite the turbulence of World War II, the love of the game ultimately endured, proving that even amidst conflict, cultural connections can withstand the test of time.

The story of baseball between the United States and Japan is a testament to the sport’s ability to unite people across borders. Though war briefly severed this bond, baseball emerged stronger, reinforcing diplomatic ties in the post-war era. From Babe Ruth’s triumphant tour to the modern-day success of Japanese players in Major League Baseball, the game continues to bridge the two nations, reminding us that some connections are powerful enough to survive even the darkest of times.