Fuji TV Apologizes to Shohei Ohtani: “See You at the Ballpark” Remark Criticized Again

Fuji TV has apologized for their “new residence report” on Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball.

On the July 4th broadcast of Fuji TV’s “Mezamashi 8,” they featured Ohtani hitting his 27th two-run home run in the previous day’s game and his decision not to participate in the Home Run Derby at the All-Star game. Subsequently, announcer Takahiro Nishioka of the same network apologized:

“We at Mezamashi 8 covered and broadcast information about Ohtani’s new residence, causing inconvenience to Ohtani, his family, and related parties, including his agent. We sincerely apologize.”

Fuji TV persistently covered Ohtani’s 1.2 billion yen mansion, said to have been purchased in Los Angeles. They aired footage that could reveal the address and conducted interviews with nearby residents, leading to the controversy.

As a result, in mid-June, the U.S. media outlet “Dodgers Nation” reported that Fuji TV’s media credentials had been revoked:

“Ohtani and the Dodgers agreed that this was an invasion of privacy and endangered the superstar.”

In response to inquiries from some sports newspapers, Fuji TV stated:

“Our press pass has not been revoked.”

However, their on-air apology suggests that they fully acknowledge their fault.

Criticism has once again gathered online over a certain phrase used after the apology. The aforementioned announcer Nishioka stated:

“In his new residence, there have been situations where many tourists and local residents have visited. Please refrain from visiting private spaces such as Ohtani’s home, and if you wish to meet Ohtani, please come to the stadium.”

This phrase was also used by announcer Minoru Aoi, who apologized to Ohtani the previous day on the information program ‘Live News It!’. According to a sports newspaper’s major league reporter.

“They are gently warning tourists and local residents who visit Ohtani’s new residence, but there’s a sentiment of ‘who are they to say that’. Fuji TV has somewhat contributed to exposing his address.”

Moreover, they used a somewhat witty expression: “If you want to meet Ohtani, do it at the stadium.” One wonders if they truly regret their actions.

Ohtani currently leads the league in home runs and could potentially become the first Japanese player to achieve a Major League Baseball triple crown. Many people in Japan are looking forward to Dodgers games as well.

“What Ohtani desires is an environment where he can focus solely on baseball. It’s not good to keep having troubles with the media. It is said that Fuji TV was able to negotiate the lifting of the ban in exchange for a live apology,” said the same sports newspaper reporter.

The game footage used on TV is under MLB’s jurisdiction, so Ohtani cannot unilaterally exclude Fuji TV. There are also multiple types of press passes, and according to local sources:

“I haven’t heard of Fuji being completely banned from the stadium.”

However, Fuji is reportedly excluded from post-game interviews, press conferences, and close coverage of Ohtani.

Due to Ohtani’s evident anger this time, the media must exercise maximum caution. Reports concerning his wife Mamiko, whom he married in February, have significantly decreased compared to before, owing to these underlying circumstances.

 

“Magazines that don’t directly interview Ohtani can do as they please, but those that have a relationship with him find it challenging to cover private topics. No one wants to upset Ohtani and end up like Fuji TV. Some companies have even issued specific orders not to mention Mamiko. Unless featured on the team’s official social media, Ohtani and Mamiko’s private lives will not be covered by TV or sports newspapers,” said a wide na show affiliate.

Ohtani’s remarkable performance has silenced even the major media, making him truly untouchable.