Tohoku Fukushi University right-hander Ryo Kumagai signed a minor-league contract with the Boston Red Sox of the American League on Tuesday.
Kumagai, who has a fastball clocking 147 kph from a sidearm delivery, is scheduled to take part in spring training with the major league club later this year.
The 22-year-old Tokyo native said he hopes to become as successful as another Tohoku Fukushi alumnus, Kazuhiro Sasaki of the Seattle Mariners.
Ray Poitevint, vice president of the American League club, said he was impressed with Kumagai's approach to pitching and held out the possibility that the young hurler could make it to the majors in his first year in the organization.