Film: Diamond Diplomacy

Enjoy watching Diamond Diplomacy, a documentary by Yuriko Gamo Romer, explores the dramatic and complicated relationship between Japan and the United States through the shared love of the game of baseball, from the introduction of the sport to Japan in 1872 to the two-position dominance of Shohei Ohtani.

Diamond Diplomacy explores 150+ years of shared history between the United States and Japan through our shared love of baseball. Anchored by the stories of two former players—Japan’s Masanori “Mashi” Murakami and the USA’s Warren Cromartie—the film traces the evolution of a complex international relationship, touching on racism, diplomacy, and the unifying power of sports.

The screening will be followed by a special talk with director Yuriko Gamo Romer and executive producer Glen S. Fukushima, moderated by Stave Pollock, President of the Japan Society of Northern California, followed by an audience Q&A.

NR, 86 mins., 2025. 

This is a walk-in program. However, registered patrons will receive a priority. 

Please contact the Japan Society of Northern California for any questions. 

Agenda:

1. Opening Remarks
   • Sachiko Iwabuchi | Japanese Language Librarian, San Francisco Public Library
   • Marc Smolowitz | Producer, “Diamond Diplomacy”
2. Film Screening
3. Director’s Talk
   • Yuriko Gamo Romer | Director, “Diamond Diplomacy”
   • Glen S. Fukushima | Executive Producer, “Diamond Diplomacy”
   • Moderator: Steve Pollock | President, Japan Society of Northern California
4. Audience Q&A
5. Closing Remarks | Steve Pollock, President of Japan Society of Northern California

Connect: 

Diamond Diplomacy - Website

Japan Society of Northern California - Website | Japan Society of Northern California - Instagram

Yuriko Gamo Romer - IMDB | Marc Smolowitz - 13th Gen | Glen S. Fukushima - Center for East Asian Studies at Stanford University