While it may look out of sync with its surroundings, model and radio-controlled car giant Tamiya's Plamodel Factory (Plastic Model Factory) flagship store has a happy home amid the office buildings and dining establishments of Tokyo's Shinbashi district. "Being in Shinbashi seemed like quite a ...

Within the span of a few years, Japanese pitcher Shohei Ohtani has had a dramatic impact on the thinking of some major league clubs. Even after Ohtani hit 22 home runs in a two-way role for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in 2016, major league ...

Those who doubted the value of Nippon Professional Baseball's video review system a year ago have officially left the building. On Tuesday, NPB announced a few tweaks to a system that got some negative press last year, but was — on the whole — considered ...

Although Yusei Kikuchi is arriving in the major leagues with less fanfare than Shohei Ohtani did a year ago, the lefty could — like Ohtani did — help change people's minds about Japanese pitching. Kikuchi, who has reportedly reached a deal with the Seattle Mariners, ...

Yusei Kikuchi's impending move to the major leagues this winter has been planned out long in advance, according to sources close to the left-handed pitcher. From the instant the Seibu Lions announced they would be willing to post their No. 1 pitcher this offseason, Kikuchi ...

Hotaka Yamakawa may be Japan's premier home run hitter, but this past week has taught him how much more he has to learn. After leading both of Japan's elite leagues this year with 47 home runs, the 26-year-old Seibu Lions first baseman was looking to ...

The latest chapter in a long history of pro baseball exchanges between Japan and the United States will open Friday with the start of the six-game Japan All-Star Series. For the second time, visiting major leaguers will square off against Japan's national team, Samurai Japan, ...

The Seibu Lions clinched their 22nd pennant in franchise history on Sunday, but did so in unusual fashion by both leading the Pacific League from wire to wire and becoming the second championship team to finish last in the league in ERA. The Lions nailed ...

Tomoyuki Sugano may be the best pitcher in the world who isn't in the major leagues, but the 28-year-old Yomiuri Giants star intends to rectify that situation. Last season's winner of the Eiji Sawamura Award as Japan's most impressive starting pitcher, the soft-spoken right-hander has ...

As the Arizona Diamondbacks prepared to break camp this week, Yoshihisa Hirano's role with his new club is not yet clear. The former closer of the Orix Buffaloes, Hirano appears set to begin his first year in the major leagues as the late-inning setup man. ...