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As a result, in mid-June, the U.S. media outlet “Dodgers Nation” reported that Fuji TV’s media credentials had been revoked: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“Our press pass has not been revoked.”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.