CJS Noon Lecture - Are We Watching the Same Game? How Covering Baseball in America and Japan Can Be So Different

America’s national pastime has been a fan favorite in Japan at the professional level for more than 75 years. During that time, Japanese baseball has developed such a unique character that at times it hardly resembles the American version from which it came. Brad Lefton has been covering baseball in both countries as a journalist since graduating from the University of Michigan in ’92 with an MA in Japanese Studies. From no reporters in the locker room to year round practice and more, join him as he leads a discussion on many of the surprising differences and how they help to explain Japanese culture.

About the Speaker:
Brad Lefton has been communicating to Japanese and American audiences for two decades as a bilingual journalist specializing in baseball. He has worked on countless documentaries and other programs for networks such Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) and ESPN and has contributed to publications such as New York Times, Seattle Times, and Asahi Shimbun. After earning an MA in Japanese Studies from U-M, Lefton worked for NHK in Tokyo. 1995 was a defining year for both Japan-U.S. relations in baseball and his career; Hideo Nomo pitched for the Dodgers and Bobby Valentine managed the Chiba Lotte Marines. Lefton followed both events. He co-authored a book with Valentine, Senbon Nokku wo Koete, before returning to St. Louis from where he continues covering baseball in both countries.