Nippon Professional Baseball commissioner Ryozo Kato will go to the United States in early January to have talks with his major league counterpart Bud Selig, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.
The former Japanese ambassador to the United States is expected to propose a tournament that features the league champions from around the world.
Kato is scheduled to meet with Selig in Milwaukee on Jan. 5 and Major League Baseball Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy in New York the next day.
The baseball executives will also discuss ways to develop the game in both countries as well as the next World Baseball Classic in 2013.