Yomiuri Giants manager Tatsunori Hara on Tuesday formally accepted an offer to skipper the national team for next year's World Baseball Classic.
Hara, 50, agreed to assume the post when Japanese baseball commissioner Ryozo Kato visited him at the Giants dorm in Kawasaki.
"I will do my level best and become a power in forming a strong team," Hara said after meeting with Kato, a former Japanese ambassador to the United States. Hara said he is proud to represent Japan.
Kato said he appreciates that Hara accepted the job.
A former Giants third baseman, Hara guided the Giants to overcome a 13-game deficit to win their second straight Central League title this year.
The WBC will be held for a second time in March with the final set for March 23 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Japan, the defending champion, will begin play in the WBC on March 5 in Tokyo.