Shohei Ohtani runs toward first base after hitting an RBI double in the bottom of the 5th inning against Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mason Fruharty (right) in Game 3 of the MLB World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, California, on the 27th (local time). /Courtesy of EPA

With U.S. President Donald Trump visiting Japan, his summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi began about 10 minutes later than scheduled. The U.S.-Japan leaders were late because they were watching the Major League Baseball (MLB) championship "World Series" together at Trump's hotel.

According to Japanese media, President Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi held their summit that day at the state guest house in Motoakasaka, Minato Ward, Tokyo.

Seated, Prime Minister Takaichi told summit participants, "I apologize for the late start of the meeting. I watched baseball in President Trump's room. We were winning 1-0."

U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attend a summit at the state guesthouse in Motoakasaka, Tokyo. /Courtesy of Reuters

According to the Nikkei, the summit began during Game 3 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers feature Japanese major leaguer Ohtani Shohei. The two leaders appear to have watched the game together on TV.

Baseball also came up the previous day when President Trump met Emperor Naruhito. Citing Trump's praise of Ohtani, Emperor Naruhito expressed appreciation that American society is embracing a Japanese player.

Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the bottom of the 8th inning of Game 2 of the MLB World Series in Toronto, Canada, on the 25th (local time). /Courtesy of EPA

President Trump, mentioning Yamamoto Yoshinobu, said, "The Japanese pitcher was also very excellent." Yamamoto also plays for the Dodgers. On the 25th (local time), he started Game 2 of the World Series and led the team to a 5-1 win with a strong outing of one run over nine innings with four hits and eight strikeouts, earning a complete-game victory.

Prime Minister Takaichi likes baseball and is known as a devoted fan of the Hanshin Tigers.

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