Nine Most Emotional Moments That Shook All of Japan

Shohei Otani roars after striking out Trout!
2023, 5th WBC, Final vs. USA

Shohei Ohtani (31) unleashed raw emotion, roaring in celebration, moving countless fans. This was right after he struck out the powerful American batter Mike Trout in the final of the 5th WBC (2023), leading Japan to victory. After the game, Ohtani told reporters:

“I thought I had to throw pitches beyond my best to get this batter out.”

At the WBC, Samurai Japan battles top international teams in intense, high-pressure games. It’s precisely because players push beyond their limits to deliver superlative plays that fans are so moved. From a legendary player’s clutch hit despite a slump, to a dramatic ninth-inning comeback, to a divine hand home run that dodged the catcher’s block—the nine selected unforgettable moments revive the emotions that shook all of Japan.

Ichiro’s Relentless Clutch Hit Despite Slump
2nd WBC (2009) Final – Japan vs. South Korea

In that tournament, Ichiro had been slumping with a .211 batting average up to the previous game, describing it as more painful than I imagined. Yet in the 10th inning of the final, with two outs and runners on second and third, he delivered a clutch go-ahead hit. After the game, he remarked, “I felt like a god descended upon me.”

Hirokazu Ibata’s timely tying run with two outs in the 9th inning
The 3rd World Tournament in 2013, 2nd round, against Chinese Taipei

With a one-run lead in the top of the 9th inning, Ibata scored the tying run with a runner on second base with two outs. After catching up in the last minute, Japan won the game in the 10th inning.

Munetaka Murakami – Dramatic walk-off, come-from-behind hit
The 5th World Tournament in 2023, Semifinal game against Mexico

Murakami, who was hitless in four at-bats on the day, including three consecutive strikeouts, scored a dramatic two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to bring the game back from the dead!

Seiichi Uchikawa’s super fine play to turn the tide
The 2nd Tournament in 2009, Final against Korea

After the game was over in the bottom of the 5th inning, Seiichi Uchikawa made a one-bounce catch of a liner from a South Korean batter. He sent the ball to second base and killed the batter. Japan caught on and won the game in extra innings.

Munenori Kawasaki’s “Divine Hand” Home Slide
2006 First World Tournament, Final against Cuba

In the top of the 9th inning, the score was tied at one. Ichiro hit a ball to second baseman Kawasaki, who evaded the catcher’s block and brought it home with just his right hand!

Yu Darvish, selected as an inexperienced pitcher
2009 2nd World Tournament, Final against South Korea

In the same tournament, manager Tatsunori Hara selected Darvish as an inexperienced supporter. Despite his own concerns, he allowed only one run in two innings in the final game.

Shinnosuke Abe became the first player in history to hit two homers in one inning!
3rd World Tournament 2013, 2nd round, game against the Netherlands

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Japan went on the offensive. Five runs scored in one inning, including a homer by Abe, who led off the inning. Abe’s three-run homer in the top of the first inning was the first time in WBC history that two homers were hit in one inning.

Kosuke Fukudome, who had been in a slump, hit a two-run double in his place
2006 First WBC Semifinal against Korea

Fukudome, who was out of the starting lineup for the first time in this tournament due to a slumping batting average of .105, came in as a substitute batter with one out and two on in the top of the 7th inning with the score 0-0. He gave up the final two runs.

From the March 13-20, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”