Japanese Players Shine on U.S. Baseball Diamonds for Over a Century

From early 20th century student-athletes to today's multimillion dollar MLB stars, Japanese talent has long been showcased on American fields.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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This article traces the history of Japanese baseball players excelling in the United States, dating back to the early 1900s when Japanese university teams first toured the country and introduced new techniques that reshaped the game. It highlights how Japanese players have made their mark in Major League Baseball, from early pioneers to today's crop of multimillion dollar stars.

Why it matters

The influx of Japanese talent to MLB reflects the globalization of the sport and the growing international appeal of baseball. It also highlights the long history of cultural exchange and athletic competition between Japan and the United States, dating back over a century.

The details

In the early 1900s, the Waseda University baseball team from Japan became the first foreign team to tour the United States, playing 26 games mostly against collegiate and semi-pro teams. Their star pitcher, Atsushi Kono, earned the nickname "Iron Man" for his stamina. While the Waseda team suffered many losses, the tour was seen as a triumph in Japan, as the players brought back new techniques like bunting for hits. Waseda returned for another tour in 1911, playing against college programs across the Midwest. Since then, Japanese players have continued to make their mark in MLB, from pioneers like Mike Lum and Lenn Sakata to today's multimillion dollar stars like Shohei Ohtani.

  • In 1872, Horace Wilson, an American professor, taught his students at Tokyo's Kaisei Gakko to play baseball.
  • In 1901, Isoo Abe founded Waseda University's baseball program.
  • In the spring of 1905, Waseda University's baseball club became the first foreign team ever to tour the United States.
  • In 1911, Waseda returned for another American tour, playing against college programs across the Midwest.
  • In 1967, Mike Ken-Wai Lum debuted with the Atlanta Braves, becoming one of the early Japanese American players in MLB.

The players

Horace Wilson

An American professor who taught his students at Tokyo's Kaisei Gakko to play baseball in 1872.

Isoo Abe

The progressive academic who founded Waseda University's baseball program in 1901 and organized the team's tours of the United States.

Atsushi Kono

Waseda University's best pitcher, who earned the nickname "Iron Man" for his stamina during the team's 1905 tour of the United States.

Mike Ken-Wai Lum

One of the early Japanese American players to make it to the Major Leagues, debuting with the Atlanta Braves in 1967.

Lenn Haruki Sakata

Played second base for the 1983 World Series Baltimore Orioles, one of the early Japanese American players to make it to the Major Leagues.

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What they’re saying

“We are not here to win games, but to learn to play baseball as it is played in America.”

— Isoo Abe, Founder of Waseda University's baseball program (Stanford University)

“America! What a sweet name to us Japanese! Do you know what gratitude and affection we of Japan look upon the people of the opposite shores of the Pacific? We have come here to fight you in the peaceful war of baseball. If we are behind you in our art and knack in the game, we at least want to stand on the same level as you in character and behavior. We fight you as true fighters should, but after fighting we claim to enter into your warmest friendship.”

— Sutekichi Matsuda, Captain of the Waseda University baseball team (The Daily Illini)

The takeaway

The long history of Japanese baseball players excelling in the United States, from early 20th century student-athletes to today's multimillion dollar MLB stars, reflects the global appeal of the sport and the enduring cultural exchange between Japan and America.