Spring training officially kicks off on Sunday for all 12 of Nippon Professional Baseball's teams in Miyazaki and Okinawa prefectures.

Miyazaki will get much of the early focus with both the Japan Series and Pacific League champion Fukuoka Softbank Hawks sharing the city with the three-time defending Central League champion Yomiuri Giants. The Orix Buffaloes, who missed winning the PL pennant by the narrowest of margins, will be training in Miyazaki this year after a long spell at Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture.

The Giants may be league champions, but they were swept out of the Climax Series' final stage in four games.