Red Sox Foundation, Funai Team Up for Third Annual Red Sox U.S.-Japan Youth Baseball Exchange

Whether you’re from the United States or Japan, baseball is a way of life. And for the third straight year, the Red Sox Foundation and electronics giant Funai will use the mutual passion for the sport to host the Red Sox U.S.-Japan Youth Baseball Exchange.

The program, which began in 2008, gives youngsters the opportunity to visit one another’s homeland and learn about their customs and culture through baseball.

This summer, young Japanese baseball players will visit Boston. Their trip will be hosted by two Boston-area baseball coaches, and their 10-day adventure will begin Friday. Activities will include baseball clinics with Harvard and Northeastern baseball coaches, games against teams of the same age, attending a Red Sox game at Fenway Park on Aug. 1 and spending a day in Fairhaven, Mass., home of John Manjiro, who was the first Japanese child to live in the United States at age 14 in 1841.

Last summer, a dozen young Boston baseball players traveled to Japan to participate in various baseball and cultural activities while living with Japanese host families. In 2008, a dozen Japanese youngsters hailing from Kyoto and Chiba spent 10 days in Boston.

"Japan is a deeply respected member of Red Sox Nation, and since the arrival of Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima, interest in Japan among Red Sox fans has grown exponentially," said Red Sox chairman Tom Werner. "Through Funai’s generosity, this exchange program provides young baseball fans in Japan and Boston to take part in a life-transforming experience as they explore each other’s cultures through their shared love of baseball."

Participants were selected based on baseball skills and interest in exploring other cultures.

Cambridge-based Millennium, part of the Takeda Oncology Company, will serve as the support sponsor of the exchange.