Former Japanese slugger Matsui Hideki says baseball gives precious chances for children in the US and Japan to learn about each other's culture.

Matsui, who played for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan and the New York Yankees and other US teams, spoke at an event at Columbia University in New York on Wednesday to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the introduction of baseball to Japan.

Matsui said Japanese children who play baseball first learn the importance of respect, and respect applies not only to teammates but also to things supporting the sport, such as the ballpark and baseball equipment.

He said there is a strong culture in Japan of developing the mind and growing as a human being through baseball.

Matsui stressed that he also loves the culture of fun and enjoyment in US baseball.

Matsui also took part in a panel discussion that included Matt Murton, who played in the MLB and for Japan's Hanshin Tigers as an outfielder. They discussed American and Japanese baseball and the importance of learning from each other.

Matsui said if children in Japan and the US have more opportunities to experience each other's baseball culture, they will also learn to accept differences of culture, which would help to further develop the friendship between the two countries.