Behind the Scenes of the Unusual Decision to Feature Shohei Ohtani’s Former Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara in the US

When you hear “Ippei Mizuhara,” no one would forget him, but most people may no longer be interested.

In April 2024, the U.S. federal prosecutors announced that Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Major League Baseball player Shohei Ohtani of the “Los Angeles Dodgers,” had been criminally charged with bank fraud for allegedly embezzling approximately 2.5 billion yen from Ohtani’s account. His sentencing is scheduled for October, six months after the charges were filed.

On September 4, NEWS Post Seven published a recent photo of Mizuhara. To be precise, it was the Japanese media reporting on a local media outlet’s coverage of his current situation.

His wife is still by his side.

The recent photo of Mizuhara, the defendant, was published by the American entertainment media outlet ‘Backgrid.’ The photo appears to have been taken at what seems to be his home, where Mizuhara, wearing a beige hoodie, black shorts, and a black cap, is holding a paper bag from the supermarket “Whole Foods” and a six-pack of Orion Beer. His wife was also seen by his side.

Two months earlier, local media reported that he had been spotted working as an Uber Eats delivery person in the Los Angeles area. Following this report, NBC Los Angeles reached out to Uber Eats, and a spokesperson for Uber Eats responded, 

“Mizuhara had been working as a delivery person for a few years, but was banned from delivering due to ongoing litigation.”

And it was reported that.

Regarding the recent article by local entertainment media that featured a photo of Mizuhara, the defendant,

“It’s a rare occurrence.”

This was said by a coordinator who travels between Japan and America.