Tatsunori Hara on Tuesday agreed to a new three-year deal to continue to manage the Yomiuri Giants.

The 50-year-old Hara, who led Yomiuri to the Central League pennant and took the Giants to the Japan Series this year, was formally asked to continue in charge next season and beyond after visiting team president Tsuneo Watanabe and owner Takuo Takihana the same day to report on the season.

"I want to nurture the young players and make sure next year we become Japan's No. 1 team," said Hara, who will also be skippering the national team at the World Baseball Classic next spring.

"The World Baseball Classic will be a tough job but they (the Giants) told me to make the most of the experience," he added.

Hara missed out on Japan Series glory in the third year of his existing three-year deal this season after the Giants lost 3-2 to the Seibu Lions in Game 7 on Sunday.

However, the Giants overturned a 13-game deficit to clinch the Central League for the second year in a row and won the CL Climax Series playoffs to reach the best-of-seven Japan Series.