On 30 July 2007, the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations held “Hideki Matsui’s International Friendship Program 2007,” an event aimed at fostering international exchange between American and Japanese children.

As this year’s theme was “Learning about the Role of the United Nations,” the children of the Staten Island Yankees and the Kanazawa Little League listened to a briefing by Ms. Makiko Tagashira, the UN Focal Point on Conflict Resolution from the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, who described the structure of the UN, as well as the effects of conflict on children. The program also included watching a DVD describing life in Japan as kids, and enjoying Japanese snacks.

The highlight of the event was an appearance by Mr. Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees. The children expressed their admiration and their dreams to become great baseball players to him. Mr. Matsui promised he would try his best at the next day’s game in response to a Kanazawa Little League player’s request for a home run. Remarks by Ambassador Kenzo Oshima and Mr. Matsui were followed by a chance for the children to shake their hands and take a photograph.

The event was the largest of a 5 day program of international exchange between the Staten Island Yankees and the Kanazawa Little League. More than 70 children, parents, and guardians had a chance to participate in this event, as well as 40 members of the press. The following day, Mr. Matsui hit 2 home runs in a game against the Chicago White Sox.