The Evolution of American Perceptions on Japan through Film

On April 6, 2016, Sasakawa USA celebrated more than 70 years of friendship between the United States and Japan with a clip reel viewing, panel discussion and audience Q&A looking at films that portray Japan and Japanese people.

“Evolution of American Perceptions on Japan: Through Film,” an official event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, explored topics including stereotypes, propaganda, realism, war, globalization, and history as depicted within Hollywood movies.

“Film is a medium that can help a country come to grips with its past, learn about its mistakes, and improve,” said Admiral Dennis Blair, Chairman and CEO of Sasakawa USA, who will provide introductory remarks at the event. “As you will see at this event, films also can unintentionally reinforce stubborn biases and stereotypes that hold back progress. But I am optimistic based on some of the more recent movies we will discuss that we are taking a more balanced and honest approach to events of the past. To the extent we do, we are much better equipped to move into the future.”

The event delved into American portrayals of Japan and Japanese people and culture within a wide selection of films ranging from Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Letters from Iwo Jima. An esteemed panel of experts was on hand to offer context, praise and criticism on a selection of clip reels. The event also included a keynote speech from Masanori “Mashi” Murakami, a former Major League Baseball Player for the San Francisco Giants  who on September 1, 1964, made history by becoming the first Japanese player to ever play for a MLB Team. A relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants for two years, he found success despite minimal English skills and a film industry that, at the time, rarely portrayed Japanese characters as more than stereotypes.

“We are honored to have Mr. Murakami join us for this event to share his amazing experience and discuss American and Japanese perceptions in the 1960s, which he experienced first-hand while playing for the Giants,” Blair said.

Director/Producer Yuriko Gamo Romer additionally attended and introduced the film Diamond Diplomacy, an upcoming documentary that charts Murakami’s legacy by following the push and pull of how U.S.-Japan relations played out on the baseball field from 1872 to today.

Click here to read about a related event Sasakawa USA hosted in 2015.

Speakers

• Masanori “Mashi” Murakami, Former Major League Baseball Player for the San Francisco Giants
• Adm. Dennis Blair, USN (ret.), Chairman and CEO, Sasakawa USA
• Frederick H. Katayama, Anchor and Producer, Reuters Television
• Jeffrey Lyons, Emmy Award-Winning Movie Critic
• Yoko Narahashi, Casting Director and Producer, The Last Samurai, Memoirs of a Geisha, and Emperor
• Sheila Smith, Senior Fellow for Japan Studies, Council on Foreign Relations
• Yuriko Gamo Romer, Director/Producer, Diamond Diplomacy

Photos

Photos by Joy Asico