JAPAN NEWS

Yankees' Aaron Judge to be US captain at 2026 World Baseball Classic

Aaron Judge will be the U.S. captain at next year’s World Baseball Classic, the same role the two-time American League Most Valuable Player fills with the New York Yankees

APRIL 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brazil, Mexico, Italy, Britain in USA's group at 2026 World Baseball Classic

The United States will play in Group B while Shohei Ohtnai's Japan squad will be in Group C for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

APRIL 9

Shohei Ohtani Organized Dodgers Dinner, Which Featured a 400-Pound Tuna Shohei Ohtani, along with teammates Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, organized a team dinner in Japan during the Tokyo Series. One of the...

MARCH 25 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Dodgers-Cubs opener in Tokyo averages more than 25 million viewers in Japan, a record audience

Tuesday's first game of the Tokyo Series averaged more than 25 million viewers in Japan, according to Major League Baseball, making it the m...

MARCH 21

Dodgers-Cubs opener in Tokyo averages more than 25 million viewers in Japan, a record audience

Tuesday’s first game of the Tokyo Series averaged more than 25 million viewers in Japan according to Major League Baseball, making it the most-watched MLB game in the country’s his...

MARCH 21 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shohei Ohtani reacts to Japan becoming the first soccer team to qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America Shohei Ohtani is one of Japan's most followed athletes, boasting a hero-like status in the country.

MARCH 20 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Shohei Ohtani came home as a national hero — and he didn't let Japan down at the Tokyo Series Shohei Ohtani’s every step, swing and smile were intensely followed this week during his homecoming at the Tokyo Dome, an event that would m...

MARCH 20 • BALTIMORESUN.COM

Thanks to Ohtani, MLB enjoys huge success in Japan and has momentum heading into 2025 season

There was the crack of Shohei Ohtani’s bat, the roars from the Tokyo Dome crowd and the beeps from the credit card machines at the massive merchandise center selling boatloads of L...

MARCH 20 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shohei Ohtani's home run in Japan should have been called a double This shouldn't have been declared a home run after review.

MARCH 19 • USATODAY.COM

Ohtani and the Dodgers keep the Cubs and their rich history in the shadows in Japan

Chicago Cubs fans take pride in being underdogs, a role that ended briefly when they won the World Series in 2016 to end a 107-year drought between championships

MARCH 19 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shohei Ohtani Gave Surprisingly Honest Quote About Playing in Japan Even baseball’s biggest superstar felt the nerves playing in his home country.

MARCH 18 • THESTATE.COM

Shohei Ohtani, Japan's other baseball stars shook their nerves and delivered in MLB's Tokyo opener

Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a little extra zip on his fastball

MARCH 18 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Japan's passion for baseball on full display at Tokyo Series special events TOKYO -- It is hard to find a block in the heart of Tokyo that does not feature a banner or advertisement featuring Dodgers superstar Shohei...

MARCH 17 • MLB.COM

What's the future of baseball in Japan as the best players leave for MLB?

Shohei Ohtani is widely regarded as the best player in Major League Baseball

MARCH 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sasaki a symbol of hope for people of Japan TOKYO -- Around the time that Roki Sasaki made his long-awaited decision to sign with the Dodgers, the city of Los Angeles was reeling from...

MARCH 16 • MLB.COM

From Nomo to Ichiro to Ohtani: Japan's baseball rise in MLB hits high point in Dodgers-Cubs series

Nearly 25 years after Ichiro Suzuki embarked on a Hall of Fame career for the Seattle Mariners, the impact of Japanese players in Major League Baseball is at a high point

MARCH 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rising to the occasion, Shohei Ohtani hits 2-run HR in return to Japan against Yomiuri Giants Japanese star Shohei Ohtani showed off some prodigious power in his return to the Tokyo Dome on Saturday night.

MARCH 15 • TORONTOSUN.COM

Shohei Ohtani and four other Japanese players come home to start the MLB season

It's the World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome to start the Major League Baseball season

MARCH 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not just Ohtani: Tokyo Series will showcase the depth of Japanese talent in Major League Baseball

The spotlight will be on slugger Shohei Ohtani this week when the superstar returns to Japan and leads the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago C...

MARCH 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ohtani's Tokyo airport arrival hidden from fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Japanese star

Hundreds of fans at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport lined up 10 deep and hoping to catch a glimpse of Shohei Ohtani as he arrived

MARCH 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shohei Ohtani honors Japan's lost lives 14 years after devastating earthquake and tsunami On Monday, LA Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani took a moment to remember one of the darkest days in Japan’s history.

MARCH 11 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Yamamoto throws 5 good innings, Ohtani rips 118.5 mph double as Dodgers prepare for opener in Japan

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out seven over five solid innings and Shohei Ohtani ripped a double in the first inning during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ penultimate game of the spring sch...

MARCH 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nearing the end of a short spring, Dodgers, Cubs make final preparations for season opener in Japan

Shohei Ohtani’s bat is ready for the Los Angeles Dodgers while Shota Imanaga has looked good on the mound for the Chicago Cubs with less than 10 days remaining before baseball's re...

MARCH 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Japanese artist Murakami lends artwork to exclusive MLB collaboration ahead of Tokyo Series

Takashi Murakami’s artwork has graced luxury goods from top fashion houses and album covers of superstar musicians

FEBRUARY 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Roki Sasaki Dodgers Debut: Top Prospect Gives Up Homer To Kyle Teel The Dodgers righthander sat 94-96 mph with his fastball on Tuesday, tossing 38 pitches in a B-game against the White Sox.

FEBRUARY 25 • BASEBALLAMERICA.COM