Yomiuri Giants owner Tsuneo Watanabe on Friday unveiled an idea for a competition that would replace the Japan Series championship if Japanese professional baseball is realigned into a one-league system through mergers between teams.
Watanabe, describing the idea as a personal one, said he would like to see the number of regular-season games reduced to make room for another tournament featuring a mini league format by dividing the teams based on geographical locations.
The idea is designed for a matchup between the winners of the regular season and the league tournament, Watanabe said, adding that he wants the new competition to be called the "Emperor's Cup."