Mike Di Muro, an American pro-umpire was invited to Japan to be an umpire. Although Japan wanted to learn more about the culture of baseball in America, the games are too different to allow this level of convergence. During one game Di Muro called two strikes on a popular Chunichi Dragons slugger Yasukai Taiho, and he didn't agree with the calls. Because he fought with Di Muro at a level that would not be permitted in America, Taiho was ejected from the game. This spurred a physical fight between Taiho, his coaches, the other players, and Di Muro. All of the fans expressed disapproval of Di Muro's calls with their jeers. The conflict resulted in U.S. baseball officials calling Di Muro back to America and Taiho suffered no further consequences (Gibney).

The difficulty of Di Muro in Japan exemplifies a great difference between Japanese besaboro and American baseball. By bringing Di Muro into Japan, the country tried to unite the two games beyond the unity that comes from American players in Japan. The collision that transpired is evidence that Japan is not willing to accept the American style that Di Muro offered. The American ways seemed to upset the harmony of the Japanese game.

On the other hand, baseball in America holds Japanese influence in a different light. Japanese players in America, Hideo Nomo of the New York Yankees has been crowned an All-Star among the best players in American baseball. In addition, Hideki Irabu is putting on a great show with pitching skills that amaze many Americans (Fibney).

The Di Muro affair examines the relationship between Japan and the United States. Because the harmony, or Wa, of besaboro was disrupted by the influence of American culture, it seems that the relationship between the two countries is fragile.