WWU's Derek Moscato presents recent research on the shared cultural impact of baseball between U.S. and Japan

WWU Professor of Journalism Derek Moscato recently showcased his international communication research at a special symposium on Oct. 27 hosted by the College of William and Mary's U.S.-Japan Baseball Diplomacy Project, commemorating “150 Years of U.S.-Japan Baseball Diplomacy.”  

Moscato's focus on this research project lies in examining the concepts of public diplomacy and soft power within the context of the U.S.-Japan relations, drawing from the role of professional sport and in particular the legacy of former Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki. The Japanese outfielder, who spent nearly two decades in Major League Baseball (MLB), is among the most accomplished players in the sport’s history.  

“In the 1990s and 2000s, numerous Japanese baseball players made their MLB debut, including Hideo Nomo with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Hideki Matsui with the New York Yankees, and of course Ichiro Suzuki with the Mariners. This marked a watershed moment, not just transforming the sport but also shaping relations between the two countries,” Moscato said.  

According to Moscato, public diplomacy and soft power are integral aspects of international relations, signifying a nation's capacity to influence other countries through communication, cultural influence, and other modes of persuasion. Essentially, soft power utilizes attraction to influence others often through shared national values and the exchange of people and culture.  

“After Ichiro Suzuki joined the Seattle Mariners, the connection between Japan and Seattle deepened significantly. Suzuki’s MLB journey also strengthened the larger cultural bond between the U.S. and Japan, which included the two-way flow of baseball players but also cultural exchange in areas like food, fashion, architecture and design,” said Moscato. Public opinion data analyzed by Moscato highlighted the relationship between baseball, cultural exchange, and growing goodwill between the nations.  

The October symposium was made possible by a grant received by William & Mary from the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Japan, marking the 150th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan baseball relationship. With a commitment to scholarship and a schedule of events contracted until January 2025, the research team aims to continue to spotlight the U.S.-Japan baseball connection and its influence on bilateral relations beyond the diamond.  

The symposium was a collaborative effort involving the Japan Retired Foreign Player Association, Major League Baseball Players Trust, and North American Sake Brewery, along with the participation of Moscato and fellow scholars from Rice University and William and Mary. The symposium also featured participants from the professional baseball world, including Jim Small, President of the World Baseball Classic and Senior VP, International of Major League Baseball; former player and manager Bobby Valentine, who managed professional teams in MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball; and Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese player to play for a Major League Baseball team, the San Francisco Giants.   

A significant topic of discussion at the symposium revolved around how the United States and Japan, through baseball, have established a blueprint that other countries could potentially use to foster connections through the sport.  

“We were discussing how at this year’s World Baseball Classic final game between the US and Japan, the competition went beyond the two top countries competing for a gold medal. This game was also a powerful symbol of friendship, shared love for the sport, and the commonalities that unite both nations,” Moscato said.  

Moscato said that if this collaborative model extends to other sports and nations, it has the potential to generate a positive global cultural impact. 

To find out more information about Moscato’s work, which was published in the Hague Journal of Diplomacy, you can read his summary article titled "Ichiro The Public Diplomat." Those interested in learning more about the US-Japan baseball project are encouraged to visit the website commemorating 150 Years of US-Japan Baseball Diplomacy.