In May of 2003, Ryozo Kato, Japan's ambassador to the U.S., came to Mississippi State University for 3 days as a special guest of MSU's Center for International Security and Strategic Studies. During his visit he toured the Nissan plant in Canton as well as the Starkville Campus, including tours of MSU's centers for Advanced Vehicular Systems and Engineering Research, both located in the Mississippi Research and Technology Park across U.S. Highway 82 from central campus. The highlight of the visit was on May, 16th at Dudy Noble Field, Polk-DeMent Stadium, where the Katos were special guests for MSU's Southeastern Conference baseball game with the University of Alabama. Ambassador Kato, an avid baseball fan and also a fan of ex-MSU star Rafael Palmeiro, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to begin the game.
Photograph courtesy MSUMemo OnLine