Education Minister Yoshiaki Takaki on Tuesday called on the Central League to refrain from holding night games for the time being amid an earthquake-triggered electricity shortage.
The league has decided to open its season on March 29 and hold all games in the quake-hit service areas of Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Tohoku Electric Power Co. during the day only until April 3 before starting to hold night games two days later under reduced lighting.
"I don't think such a decision will gain the understanding of the Japanese public," Takaki told Nippon Professional Baseball commissioner Ryozo Kato at the ministry, which ultimately governs sports in Japan.
Kato said he will arrange a meeting of baseball club owners later this week to discuss the minister's advice.
The six-team Pacific League, including the Sendai-based Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, has postponed the start of of its season until April 12 and decided not to hold any night games during April in quake-affected parts of the country.