Hideo Nomo of the Los Angeles Dodgers becomes the first Japanese native to play in the majors in three decades. Nomo pitches five scoreless innings of one-hit ball, but the Dodgers blow a 3 – 0 lead and lose to San Francisco, 4 – 3. Nomo will have an excellent season and win the Rookie of the Year Award, opening the gates for a large number of Japanese players to follow him to the major leagues.

This Day In Baseball

On May 2, 1995 — Hideo Nomo of the Los Angeles Dodgers becomes the first Japanese native to play in the majors in three decades. Nomo pitches five scoreless innings of one-hit ball, but the Dodgers blow a 3 – 0 lead and lose to San Francisco, 4 – 3. Nomo will have an excellent season and win the Rookie of the Year Award, opening the gates for a large number of Japanese players to follow him to the major leagues.

Source:
Baseball Reference May 2