Film Exploring Japan-U.S. Relations Through Baseball Will Premiere At Bay Area Film Fest

MILL VALEY, CA — A film exploring the intricate relationship between the U.S. and Japan, using their mutual passion for baseball as a lens to reveal a rich, multi-generational diplomatic history, will make is world premiere Friday at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

“Diamond Diplomacy,” directed by Yuriko Gamo Romer, will play at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Sequoia Cinema 1 and at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Sequoia Cinema 2 at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

Featuring a cross-cultural lineup of baseball legends such as Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and the newly inducted National Baseball Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki, along with Shohei Ohtani, the film powerfully illustrates how sports can foster international healing, connection and resilience.

“Diamond Diplomacy” explores over 150 years of US-Japan baseball history, using players Masanori Murakami and Warren Cromartie to trace a complex international relationship marked by racism, diplomacy, and unity. Introduced in 1872, baseball bridged nations despite war and trade conflicts.

“In the beginning I was shocked to learn that baseball had been introduced to Japan in 1872, so much longer ago than I knew and seems like most know,” Romer told Patch. “As I continued into the history it was continually amazing to me how many famous, accomplished ballplayers in history had connections to Japan. It also was surprising that even in times of destruction and decay of relations, somehow baseball held on.”

The film showcases figures like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio, who fostered goodwill, and highlights ongoing player exchanges. More than a sports documentary, it's a moving reflection on friendship and resilience.

“I hope that this will spark conversation and encourage dialogue about sport as a conduit for international relations, people-to-people diplomacy,” Romer told Patch. “And there is always hope that baseball fans will be interested in the film through their love of baseball and take away some interest in history and international relations. And then maybe some history buffs will discover some enjoyment through baseball.”

Romer's recent films explore the cultural and political dimensions of sport. Her short documentary, “Baseball Behind Barbed Wire,” about Japanese American WWII incarceration, is distributed and has won awards at the Chandler International Film Festival, Waco Independent Film Festival, Films of Remembrance and United Nations Association Film Festival.