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July 12, 2026
 

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SHOHEI OHTANI

Shohei Ohtani (center) and Suzuki (left) celebrate with Ukyo Shuto after Japan's win against the Tigers on Tuesday.
BASEBALL
Mar 4, 2026
Samurai Japan’s path to a WBC repeat starts with Pool C in Tokyo
The sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic is set to kick off on Thursday, with Japan facing Australia, the Czech Republic, South Korea and Taiwan in the first round.
Team USA outfielder Aaron Judge plays against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training game in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Tuesday.
BASEBALL
Mar 4, 2026
Aaron Judge and U.S. stars eye Japan revenge in World Baseball Classic
The last edition in 2023 saw Japan edge the U.S. in a nail-biting thriller for a record third crown.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani during a spring training game in Tempe, Arizona, on Feb 21. For Japan, Netflix's exclusive deal to broadcast the World Baseball Classic may serve as a wake-up call to broadcasters that prices are going up and that they need to change as viewers seek better experiences.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Mar 4, 2026
Netflix’s WBC deal upends baseball traditions in Ohtani’s homeland
Professional baseball in Japan has largely stayed in the hands of domestic broadcasters and free-to-air networks.
Shohei Ohtani is back with Samurai Japan for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Ohtani was the MVP of the 2023 tournament.
BASEBALL / Sac Bunts
Mar 2, 2026
Shohei Ohtani returns to Japan as the center of attention ahead of WBC
​Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar, arrived last week to join the rest of his Samurai Japan teammates ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani throws in the bullpen during spring training camp in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Feb 14, 2026
Healthy Ohtani has Cy Young Award in sights
The four-time MLB Most Valuable Player, winner of two World Series titles, has yet to capture the Cy Young Award for outstanding pitching.
Japan starter Shohei Ohtani pitches against Italy during the WBC quarterfinals at Tokyo Dome on March 16, 2023.
BASEBALL
Feb 1, 2026
Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for Japan at 2026 World Baseball Classic
Ohtani played in a two-way role as he lead Japan to the 2023 WBC title.
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto reacts after the sixth inning against the Reds during Game 2 of the NL Wild Card series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct. 1.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jan 26, 2026
Samurai Japan adds MLB stars as it prepares for WBC title defense
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto headlines the new additions.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani jogs off the field prior to a game against the Cubs at Tokyo Dome on March 19. MLB opened its season in Japan, with Ohtani and Dodgers teammates Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki taking on the Cubs, including slugger Seiya Suzuki and pitcher Shota Imanaga.
SPORTS
Dec 31, 2025
2025 in pictures: Sea change for sumo, Olympic do-over and Ohtani’s star shines brighter
The emergence of three young stars shook up the world of sumo, while it was more of the same in MLB as Ohtani and the Dodgers continued their reign at the top.
Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata announces the first eight members of his team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, in Tokyo on Friday.
BASEBALL
Dec 26, 2025
Ohtani, Kikuchi and six others named to initial Samurai Japan roster for WBC
The eight members also include Yuki Matsui of the San Diego Padres and Hiromi Ito of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Ayuri Shimano is a two-way player for the Giants' women's team.
BASEBALL
Dec 25, 2025
Girls inspired by Shohei Ohtani leading Japan’s next wave of two-way players
Against the odds, players such as Ayuri Shimano and Aika Morimoto are forging a new path for women’s baseball.
Despite long lines and occasional issues with transportation, the Osaka Expo earned top honors in the Nikkei Marketing Journal's annual ranking of products, services and topics that captivated Japanese consumers.
LIFE / Lifestyle / 2025 IN REVIEW
Dec 13, 2025
Osaka Expo and ‘Kokuho’ top 2025’s sumo-style consumer interest rankings
The expo’s ¥3 trillion economic impact and the three-hour kabuki film captivated shoppers in Japan this year.
Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani runs to first after hitting a single during Game 7 of the World Series on Nov. 1.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 10, 2025
Ohtani named AP’s Male Athlete of Year for the fourth time
Ohtani matched LeBron James, Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong for the most selections since the award was first presented in 1931.
Doll-maker Kyugetsu unveiled its 2025 wooden paddles, featuring Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, on Wednesday in Tokyo’s Taito Ward.
JAPAN
Dec 3, 2025
Hagoita paddles depicting newsmakers of 2025 unveiled
Wooden paddles featuring Shohei Ohtani, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and 10 others were unveiled by Tokyo-based doll-maker Kyugetsu on Wednesday.
Japan’s "oshikatsu" culture is booming despite inflation, with fans spending heavily on idols and characters in a way that now drives a multitrillion-yen market.
COMMENTARY
Dec 2, 2025
Japan’s inflation-proof ‘stan’ economy is booming
About 10% of the Japanese population engages in “oshikatsu” — but importantly, more than 50% are those crucial arbiters of cool: teenage girls.
A screenshot of Shohei Ohtani's Instagram post shows a photo of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
BASEBALL
Nov 25, 2025
Ohtani hoping to represent Japan again at 2026 World Baseball Classic
“I’m happy to play again representing Japan,” the four-time MVP said on social media.
South African cricket legend Jacques Kallis plays a shot during the final day of a cricket test match against India in Johannesburg in December 2013.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 17, 2025
Who is cricket’s Shohei Ohtani?
A better question might be: Does cricket need its own Shohei?
Japan's Ryuhei Sotani pitches against South Korea at Tokyo Dome on Saturday night.
BASEBALL
Nov 17, 2025
Japan uses series against South Korea to prep for World Baseball Classic title defense
The chance to play with the pitch clock and PitchCom — neither of which is used in NPB — was the main takeaway for Japan.
Shohei Ohtani has won four MVP awards in MLB after his latest win this season.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 14, 2025
Japanese fans express pride after Shohei Ohtani wins fourth MVP Award
Ohtani was named American League MVP with the Angels in 2021 and 2023 and has won the award in the National League with the Dodgers in the past two seasons.
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani was named National League MVP for the second straight season on Thursday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 14, 2025
Shohei Ohtani collects fourth MVP Award with 2025 NL honor
Ohtani joined Barry Bonds as the only players to win at least four MVP awards.
Shohei Ohtani (left), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (center) and Roki Sasaki of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in Game 7 to win the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center in Toronto, on Nov. 2.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 12, 2025
Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki generate ¥132.8 billion in economic impact
Merchandise sales, broadcasting rights and the popularity of the players are all thought to have contributed to the high number.
China’s demand for Soviet-style apartments shows limits to revival
Apartments built during a Soviet Union-inspired construction drive in the 1970s and 1980s tend to suffer from poor insulation and outdated plumbing, but they are seeing a revival in interest due to their attractive locations.
Japanese scientists identify neural mechanism that may explain why we dislike people
The aggressive mouse (left) used in the experiment and a mouse defending itself
Japanese payment processor’s collapse hits banks and restaurants
Zentoshin served around 200,000 shops, many of which rely on early payments to maintain cash flow, raising concerns over their financial stability following the disruption.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
Lenders seek $700 million after Japanese payments firm’s collapse
The financial failure of Osaka-based Zentoshin has left 63 creditors with claims totaling ¥115.16 billion, according to Tokyo Shoko Research.
Japan’s largest exhibition of women photographers rights a wrong in cultural history
Miwa Yanagi’s “Elevator Girl House” series skewers the superficiality of gender roles through staged images.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
‘Princess Mononoke’ comes alive in Super Kabuki staging
The “Princess Mononoke” adaptation was created under Shochiku’s Super Kabuki initiative, a modern form of kabuki with more technology in staging and open to pop culture collaborations.
The beating heart inside ‘Human Vapor’
Different forms of love and connection form the emotional backbone of Netflix’s “Human Vapor,” says actor Shun Oguri, who plays troubled detective Kenji Okamoto.
Japan bets on character IP to drive global growth
Born on social media platforms in 2022, Opanchu Usagi has become a major hit, especially among Generation Z.

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