Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the New York Yankees begin their 2004 season March 30 in the Tokyo Dome, event organizers said Monday.

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani will join Koizumi on the mound for the pregame ceremony.

Kabuki actor Nakamura Kankuro will throw out the first pitch March 31.

The two games in Tokyo against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will be the Yankees' first during the regular season outside the United States and Canada.