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Japan Times
BASEBALL / MAN ABOUT SPORTS
Nov 3, 2015

Visit to Cooperstown brings back memories of youth

Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Mar 11, 2007

Signing of Matsuzaka likely helping interest in Japanese baseball grow overseas

I thought there was going to be an increased interest in Japanese baseball in other countries, particularly in North America, after Hideo Nomo made it big with the Los Angeles Dodgers 12 years ago in 1995.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jun 5, 2005

MLB Japan tries to reassure NPB on World Baseball Classic

Disturbed by repeated media reports saying Nippon Professional Baseball is dissatisfied with the organization and conditions of next year's proposed World Baseball Classic, Major League Baseball's Managing Director in Japan Jim Small invited the media to a coffee session in his Tokyo office on May 30...
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jan 26, 2005

Baseball luminaries give Eagles GM Kuehnert big send off

More than 200 people attended the "Marty Kuehnert-Shi Iwai GM Shunin to Saranaru Nippon Yakyu Kai no Hatten o Negau Kai" (Party to Congratulate Mr. Marty Kuehnert on His Appointment as General Manager and Praying for the Success of Japanese Baseball) at a Tokyo hotel on Friday, Jan. 21, in honor of the...
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 14, 2022

Japan must find better ways to nurture its future superstars

Japanese baseball star Roki Sasaki threw a perfect game, but the old ways of doing things could have ruined him before he started.
OLYMPICS
Aug 8, 2021

Atsunori Inaba finishes job as Japan claims long-awaited baseball gold

Japan manager Atsunori Inaba doesn't officially get a medal from the Tokyo Games, but one hung around his neck anyway as Japan celebrated its first Olympic baseball gold.
BASEBALL / Heisei Icons,HEISEI ICONS
Apr 23, 2019

Ichiro Suzuki: A virtuoso on the diamond

Ichiro Suzuki would become one of the most important players of the Heisei Era, which is slated to end at the end of this month, in Japan as well as in the United States.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani speaks to fans in English during a World Series victory celebration at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 2, 2024

Dodgers celebrate World Series win with long-awaited parade

Shohei Ohtani brought his brown-and-white dog, Decoy — a fan favorite — in an Ohtani jersey, for the celebrations, with the slugger offering a rare address in English.
The Marines will make ace pitcher Roki Sasaki available to MLB teams via the posting system, the team announced on Saturday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 9, 2024

Marines to allow fireballer Roki Sasaki to move to MLB via posting system

Sasaki is viewed as one of the best young pitchers in the world.
Japan's Roki Sasaki delivers a pitch against Mexico at LoanDepot Park in Miami in March 2023.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 6, 2024

Darvish could help lure prized free agent to San Diego

Darvish is said to badly want young right-hander Roki Sasaki as his teammate.
Juan Soto joined the Mets on a record $765 million deal.
BASEBALL
Dec 14, 2024

Yankees’ post-Juan Soto plan has a powerful echo

The Yankees began their pivot away from Juan Soto by reaching an eight-year, $218 million contract agreement with lefty Max Fried
Tomoyuki Sugano (right) talks with former player Yoshinobu Takahashi at a 90th anniversary ceremony for the Giants held as part of a fan appreciation event at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Nov. 30.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 17, 2024

Orioles sign pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano to one-year deal

Sugano, a star pitcher with the Yomiuri Giants, arrives in MLB after 12 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Japan's Roki Sasaki in action against the Czech Republic in a World Baseball Classic pool game in Tokyo in March 2023
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 31, 2024

20 U.S. Major League teams eager to interview Roki Sasaki

The player wanted to meet with representatives from MLB teams at the same place and under the same conditions, his agent said.
Roki Sasaki pitches for Japan during the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome on March 11, 2023.
BASEBALL / MLB
Jan 18, 2025

Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki signs with Dodgers

Sasaki is considered one of the most talented young pitchers on the planet. 
Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki speaks during his introductory news conference with the team in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Jan 23, 2025

Dodgers introduce Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki

A frenzied sweepstakes among MLB clubs officially came to an end with Sasaki's decision to join Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in LA.
Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga warms up before a workout in Mesa, Arizona, on Feb. 9.
BASEBALL / MLB
Feb 20, 2025

Shota Imanaga honored to be named Cubs' opening day starter for Tokyo Series

Imanaga is expected to oppose countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers in the first of a two-game series at Tokyo Dome.
Dodgers stars (from left) Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki disembark at Haneda Airport after arriving on Thursday for the upcoming MLB Tokyo Series games at Tokyo Dome.
BASEBALL
Mar 13, 2025

Hundreds of fans vie for glimpse of homecoming MLB hero Ohtani

The roughly 500 fans who waited at Tokyo's Haneda airport did not get a chance to welcome their hero, with strict security measures in place.
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani arrives for practice on Friday at Tokyo Dome.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 14, 2025

Hype reaches fever pitch as Ohtani and the Dodgers get set for games in Tokyo

Shohei Ohtani talked about getting over jet lag and his excitement for the Tokyo Series as the Dodgers prepare to put on a show for Japanese fans.
BayStars pitcher Andre Jackson throws during Game 1 of the Japan Series on Oct. 26 last year.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Apr 16, 2025

Baystars pitcher Jackson 'honored' to wear No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day

The stars almost aligned perfectly on Tuesday night for the American, who pitched six strong innings on the day that the baseball world celebrates the Dodgers legend.
People walk past an advertisement featuring Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani outside Tokyo Dome on March 18.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 18, 2025

Nothing sells like Shohei Ohtani, MLB’s marketing megastar

The Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player is at the peak of his stardom, and brands are rushing to cash in with huge sponsorship deals.
Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka announced the birth of their first child on April 19.
BASEBALL
Apr 28, 2025

Shohei Ohtani's example could change Japan's views on paternity leave

The Dodgers star went on MLB’s paternity list for the birth of his daughter. MLB is the only major North American sports league that guarantees paternity leave to its players.
Carp pitcher Hiroki Tokoda has seven hits this season, including a double.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / Sac Bunts
May 20, 2025

Can the Central League hold out against designated hitters?

There have been plenty of calls for the league to adopt the DH over the years. But some prefer the status quo.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission said that moves by Nippon Professional Baseball could violate the antimonopoly law, and urged the organization to prevent any recurrence.
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2025

Japan Fair Trade Commission warns NPB over Fuji TV media pass denial

The antitrust watchdog said that such moves could violate the antimonopoly law, urging NPB to prevent any recurrence.
Ichiro speaks during a ceremony to retire his number a T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sunday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Aug 11, 2025

Mariners to honor Ichiro with statue at T-Mobile Park in 2026

The Seattle Mariners will unveil a statue of franchise legend Ichiro Suzuki at T-Mobile Park during the 2026 season.
Giants special advisor to baseball operations Dusty Baker looks on before the game against the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Aug. 8.
BASEBALL / MLB
Aug 22, 2025

MLB greats warn lockout or strike would derail sport's momentum

The current collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLB Players Association expires next year.
Prime Minister Yoshio Mori declared in September 2000 that Japan must “grab the historic opportunity of the IT revolution."
JAPAN / History / Japan Times Gone By
Sep 6, 2025

Japan Times 2000: Prime minister pitches ‘e-Japan’ as way of life

Japan must “grab the historic opportunity of the IT revolution,” Prime Minister Yoshio Mori declared as the final Diet session of the century opened in September 2000.
Nationals manager Davey Johnson during a game against the Tigers in Detroit in July 2013.
BASEBALL / MLB
Sep 7, 2025

Three-time World Series champion Davey Johnson dies at 82

Johnson was a four-time MLB All-Star second baseman and also played for the Yomiuri Giants in the 1970s.
The Guardians' Brayan Rocchio celebrates after his walk-off home run against the Rangers in Cleveland on Sunday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Sep 29, 2025

Guardians complete historic comeback to beat Tigers to AL Central crown

The Guardians trailed Detroit by a massive 15½-game deficit in July, a margin that no team has ever overturned.

Longform

Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.
Is living in central Tokyo still affordable?