Tokyo International News Agency

The Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) have mounted a furious three-game winning streak, escaping the bottom of the standings for the first time in nearly three months. Following a dramatic three-game sweep over the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, the Dragons climbed to fifth place in the Central League. Social media erupted with excitement from fans, with terms like "escaping last place" and "Dorahō" (the team's victory chant) trending online. The decisive matchup remained a tense pitcher's duel late into the game before breaking open in the eighth inning. Takaya Ishikawa broke the deadlock with a clutch go-ahead RBI double, followed by pinch-hitter Toshiki Abe—affectionately known as "Master"—delivering a timely hit to add crucial insurance runs. A strong start by pitcher Yuto Kanamaru paired with resilient bullpen work sealed the victory. Aided by results from other games across the league, Chunichi officially ended its long stint in ...

On July 29, just two days ahead of Nippon Professional Baseball's midseason trade deadline, the Yomiuri Giants announced that outfielder Gakuto Wakabayashi (28) has been traded to the Saitama Seibu Lions in a cash deal. For Wakabayashi, this represents a dramatic return to his former club, where he played until two years ago. Wakabayashi is best known for his clutch hitting and exceptional speed on the basepaths. During his tenure with the Giants, he left a lasting impression by driving in walk-off hits in both the Central and Pacific Leagues in the same season, demonstrating extraordinary composure in high-pressure situations. Following the official announcement on the Lions' official social media channels, fans welcomed him back with enthusiastic comments such as "Welcome home!" and "We can't wait to see your top-tier offense, defense, and running back in action for the Lions!" Giants fans also offered warm words of gratitude and support, posting messa...

The Hiroshima Toyo Carp announced on the 14th that their top draft pick, rookie outfielder Ren Hirakawa, has been diagnosed with a fractured right hamate bone after undergoing an evaluation at a hospital in Sendai. Sidelining the highly anticipated rookie, who was expected to make an immediate impact, is a major blow to the team's plans. Hirakawa was in the starting lineup for the game against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles at Rakuten Mobile Park on the 13th. However, he injured his right hand during the game and was substituted out prior to the bottom of the sixth inning. An examination the following day on the 14th revealed the fracture, forcing his third stint on the injured list this season. Fractures of the hamate bone, which is subjected to high stress during batting, are a common injury among professional baseball players but require a substantial recovery period. Hirakawa may undergo surgery, making a lengthy absence highly likely. The loss of the first-round draft pick, ...

On June 6, 2026, a professional baseball game sparked intense debate among fans on social media after Hanshin Tigers outfielder Shota Morishita was ejected by plate umpire Katsumi Manabe for verbal abuse. The incident began with Morishita showing clear dissatisfaction with a strike call, leading to his swift ejection. Some fans took a strict stance toward the player, arguing, "No matter how frustrated you are with a call, losing control of your emotions and getting ejected is unprofessional and requires self-reflection," and "Given the team's current situation, he should have avoided actions that could be interpreted as verbal abuse." On the other hand, many fans directed criticism at Umpire Manabe and questioned the overall accuracy of umpiring in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Opinions such as "The strike zone standards are too vague" and "Umpires need to deliver more accurate judgments for players who stake their livelihoods on every singl...

On May 15, 2026, the Hiroshima District Court held the first hearing and delivered a verdict for Ryutaro Hatsuki (26), a former Hiroshima Toyo Carp player charged with violating the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act for using "etomidate," a designated drug commonly known as "zombie tobacco." The trial of the former professional athlete drew significant public attention, with over 500 people lining up to compete for just 46 available gallery seats. Shock Testimony: "Other Carp Players Were Also Using It" During the defendant's questioning, Hatsuki provided testimony that has sent shockwaves through the sport. When asked by the prosecution about the period during which he used the drug, he stated, "There were other (Carp) players around me who were also smoking it." This revelation has raised the possibility of drug use spreading within the league, causing deep concern among fans and baseball officials alike. While Hatsuki expressed remor...

The Hanshin Tigers secured their spot in the Japan Series for the first time in two years by sweeping the Yokohama DeNA BayStars with three consecutive wins in the Professional Baseball Climax Series (CS) Final Stage on the 17th. In that day's game, Hanshin's starting pitcher, Haruto Takahashi, delivered a masterful performance. He held the Yokohama lineup hitless until one out in the eighth inning, bringing the stadium to its feet with his brilliant pitching. While he narrowly missed achieving a no-hitter, his intense and awe-inspiring performance deeply moved the fans, who gave him a thunderous ovation from the stands. The batting lineup strongly supported Takahashi. In the first inning, Teruaki Sato launched a go-ahead three-run home run, seizing control of the game. In the third inning, Koyo Oyama added an insurance run with a timely hit, further strengthening Hanshin's lead. The impenetrable pitching staff then kept the Yokohama lineup in check, preventing any comeback...

The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters secured their spot in the Climax Series (CS) Final Stage for the second consecutive year on the 12th, achieving a dramatic come-from-behind victory in Game 2 of the Pacific League First Stage. The hero of this win was Franyer Reyes, who hit a game-changing, two-run go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the 8th inning. The game remained tense, but the Nippon-Ham Fighters created an opportunity in the bottom of the 8th inning, bringing Reyes to the plate. His clutch hit split the gap in right-center field, allowing both the runner on second and the runner on first to score immediately. The stands erupted in a frenzy of joy as the team successfully took the lead. On social media, fans expressed their excitement and gratitude with comments like: "I genuinely yelled when Reyes hit that timely RBI!" "Reyes's go-ahead RBI was the best ever!!" "A true master performer 👑 A priceless timely hit that flipped the game at the last minute...

On September 15, 2025, during a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) game between the Hanshin Tigers and the Chunichi Dragons, Hanshin's Teruaki Sato put on a spectacular display, creating a huge buzz with his nickname "Satoteru" trending on social media. Sato was in phenomenal form that day, launching a 38th two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning, and ultimately going on a rampage with a total of two home runs and five RBIs. Baseball commentator Shinya Miyamoto praised his powerful hitting, calling it "a 'Satoteru' day," as Sato led his team to victory. Fans expressed their excitement with numerous comments such as "Satoteru was amazing!" "Satoteru is the best‼️" and "Satoteru hit two home runs⚾️✨ incredible🥹👏," indicating that his powerful bat electrified the stands. With this performance, Teruaki Sato reached 38 home runs and 96 RBIs for the season. Fans are eagerly anticipating the milestone of 40 home runs and ...

On September 9, 2025, Hiroshima Toyo Carp pitcher Hiroki Tokoda hit his first career home run in a game against the Yomiuri Giants. However, the team suffered a 4-6 loss due to a large number of runs given up early in the game, extending their losing streak to five. This resulted in mixed reactions from fans, expressing both joy and frustration. Taking the mound as the starting pitcher that day, Tokoda endured a disastrous first inning, giving up an unexpected six runs and effectively handing control of the game to the opponent. However, he showed his resolve at the plate. He launched a two-run home run, igniting a counterattack with his own bat. This powerful hit off opposing pitcher Tomoyuki Togo drew praise on social media, with comments like "He's like a slugger" and "If he gets hit, he hits back himself," and many fans congratulated him with "Congratulations on your first professional home run!" Yet, his pitching performance was overshadowed by th...

Kazunori Yamada, a former professional baseball player who distinguished himself with the Chunichi Dragons and Hiroshima Toyo Carp, passed away on August 16 at the age of 60. The news was made public on August 26 via social media by his eldest son, actor Yuki Yamada. Yuki Yamada revealed that his father had been battling cancer for about four years but chose to keep his illness private, in accordance with his wishes. During his playing career, Kazunori Yamada was known as an infielder characterized by his swift speed, solid defense, and skillful batting. A particularly memorable episode was the “friendship trade” that took place in the off-season of 1990 between Chunichi manager Senichi Hoshino and Hiroshima manager Koji Yamamoto. Yamada was traded to Hiroshima along with outfielder Shigeto Oto in a two-for-one deal for outfielder Kiyoyuki Nagashima. He contributed to Chunichi's league championship in 1988 and later filled the void left by Kozo Shoda in Hiroshima, earning him affe...

On August 19, 2025, a new milestone was etched into professional baseball history. Veteran Yomiuri Giants outfielder Yoshihiro Maru (36) achieved the 72nd cycle hit in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) history during a game against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. The Giants' offense exploded, collecting 20 hits and scoring 15 runs, leading to a dominant victory over the Swallows. In this memorable game, Maru hit a home run in his first at-bat, a single in his second, a double in his third, and finally, the much-anticipated triple in his fifth at-bat, completing the rare feat. In his fourth plate appearance, he drew a walk, demonstrating remarkable focus by reaching base in every at-bat. This cycle hit is the first for a Giants player in 17 years, since Michihiro Ogasawara achieved it, making it a historic day for both the team and its fans. Fans flooded social media with congratulatory messages such as, "Congratulations on the cycle hit, Maru! 🎉 Goo-touch 👊." Beyond Maru...

An unusual situation has arisen in professional baseball. The Chunichi Dragons have explicitly stated their intention to field an "all left-handed batter" starting lineup in games where Hanshin Tigers pitcher Shintaro Fujinami is scheduled to start, citing concerns about hit-by-pitches (HBPs) to right-handed batters. Coach Matsunaka stated, "It would be problematic if players get injured at this time of year," emphasizing the team's priority on player protection. This announcement has caused a significant stir on social media, with "Fujinami countermeasures" (藤浪対策) trending. Many fans have expressed surprise and exasperation with comments such as "LOL," "baseball is breaking," and "a pitcher with incredible influence in a sense." Fujinami's long-standing control issues have been a major concern, particularly his frequent dangerous pitches to the inside part of the plate against right-handed batters. In the past, during...

The Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) announced on the 4th that the Central League (CL) Board of Directors has formally decided to adopt the Designated Hitter (DH) rule starting from the 2027 season. The introduction of the DH rule in the CL, a topic debated for many years, is a "historical turning point" that will bring significant change to professional baseball, sparking various reactions, both positive and negative, on social media. Historical Decision: Background and Expected Effects This historic decision to introduce the DH rule in the CL is reportedly aimed at improving pitching quality, developing sluggers, rectifying disparities with the Pacific League, and reducing pitcher workload. By eliminating the obligation for pitchers to bat, it is expected that they can focus solely on pitching, leading to higher quality pitches and reduced risk of injury. Furthermore, the creation of a DH slot, allowing teams to use a specialized hitter, is also seen as a potential cata...

Yokohama DeNA BayStars pitcher Yutaro Ishida has been announced as the starting pitcher for the game against the Hanshin Tigers at Koshien Stadium on Sunday, the 27th, drawing significant attention from baseball fans. News of this highly anticipated start quickly spread on social media platform "X," and "Yutaro Ishida" temporarily ranked 4th on Yahoo! Japan's trending keywords, indicating the high level of expectation surrounding him. Ishida, who holds a record of 2 wins, 2 losses, and an ERA of 4.24 this season, has also made appearances in relief, but many fans have voiced their desire for him to be used as a starting pitcher. Social media was flooded with joyful comments such as "Can there be anything that makes me this happy than Yutaro starting?", "Yutaro Ishida is our future ace," and "He doesn't need to do relief work," reiterating the high expectations for his return to the starting rotation. This upcoming game marks Ish...

On July 20, 2025, the Hanshin Tigers defeated the Yomiuri Giants 2-1 at Tokyo Dome in a Central League professional baseball game, securing their second consecutive victory. The hero of this victory was Hanshin's Ryuta Obata. He drove in all of Hanshin's runs with his first home run of the season, a go-ahead blast, and a sacrifice fly, earning him a spot on the hero interview stage. The game was a tense pitching duel, but it was Obata who broke the deadlock in the top of the 2nd inning. He perfectly handled a tough inside pitch, sending it over the left-field stands for his first home run of the season, a go-ahead solo shot. Then, in the top of the 4th inning, he hit a sacrifice fly to drive in a crucial insurance run, finishing with two RBIs for a stellar performance. Despite an early exit by starting pitcher Dupe in the 3rd inning due to an accident, Hanshin's solid bullpen showcased an impenetrable relay, holding the Giants' lineup to just one run, with pitcher Yuasa...

The Chunichi Dragons defeated the DeNA BayStars 7-2 in their game on July 19th, achieving an impressive 7-game winning streak for the first time in five years. Seiya Hosokawa, one of the key players driving this strong performance, contributed significantly to the team's victory by hitting the decisive game-winning single. Heroes on Mound and at Plate Shine, Hosokawa Fulfills Cleanup Hitter Role The heroes of the day included not only Seiya Hosokawa but also other players who excelled both on the mound and at the plate. Starting pitcher Kyle Marler earned his third win of the season and his first home victory with a quality start (QS), holding the opponent to two runs over six innings. At the plate, Jason Vosler went on a rampage with four hits and three RBIs, becoming a key source of runs for the team. Although the team initially trailed by two runs, Jason Vosler's timely hit tied the game. Then, in the bottom of the sixth inning, with one out and the bases loaded, Seiya Ho...