Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko took in a World Baseball Classic game between Japan and Australia at Tokyo Dome on March 8.

This was the first time in 60 years that a Japanese emperor attended an international baseball game.

Spectators greeted the imperial family with applause as the three arrived at their seats.

Kuriyama Hideki, a former manager of Japan's national baseball team, served as their guide.

They asked questions to Kuriyama and gave a long round of applause when Boston Red Sox slugger Yoshida Masataka hit a home run in the seventh inning.

According to Kuriyama, the family's love for baseball was apparent, including the time Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks player Shuto Ukyo entered the game as a pinch runner and Princess Aiko noted how fast he runs.

After Japan defeated Australia 4-3, the emperor said it was a good game while the empress said she looks forward to more success for Samurai Japan in the next round of the WBC tournament in the United States.