I doubt it behooves me to get too caught up in this, but following up a recent post about Hu Jintao playing some baseball in Japan as part of a diplomatic tour, we had another game of catch breaking out in China over the weekend as Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda visited.

“I have asked Prime Minister Wen to play catch with me,” Japanese officials quoted Fukuda as telling Wen during a meeting on Friday.

“I’m glad to play with you whenever,” Wen replied, prompting laughter by diplomats of the two countries.

I’m fighting myself here…don’t be too cynical…don’t do it…this is cute. It’s a good thing. These are grown men using the grand game to symbolize the warming of relations between two countries that probably need to make baby steps like this. It’s a good thing, I repeat.

After departing Beijing yesterday, Fukuda was scheduled to visit Tianjin before a trip to the ancestral home of ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius (孔子), in Qufu city in Shandong Province.

Well, as far as I can tell, Confucianism (of which there is plenty good to be said about) is also where a lot of the xenophobic b.s. that often prohibits these countries from truly co-existing comes from. Maybe they should lay down some bunts in the vicinity of his grave for good measure. Lighten the mood a little.