Baseball came to Japan in 1872, introduced by Horace Wilson, an American professor at the forerunner to the University of Tokyo. In the 150 years since, professional leagues were developed and the game became one of Japan's most popular sports, played by and popular among all ages and genders. The annual High School Baseball Championship is a summer highlight, followed avidly by fans all over the country. The high level of Japanese baseball lead US Major League teams to recruit its best players, and Japanese-style baseball is spreading to countries in Asia and Africa that appreciate its unique culture of respect and manners on the field.

Video by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan