WBC Samurai Japan: Masanao Yoshida, Shugo Maki, Sousuke Genda… Key players of the offense and defense are headed for a break from the fatigue.

Relaxation time for the Samurai after the fierce battle

During the WBC Tokyo Round, in which Samurai Japan fought fiercely, a FRIDAY reporter witnessed the relaxation time of the men who had sent the Tokyo Dome into a frenzy.

After the game against Korea on March 7, Masanao Yoshida (32), who hit a solo homer that day, appeared on a street in central Tokyo wearing a black hoodie and a white mask covering his face. In a complete change from his dynamic performance at the ballpark, he disappeared into the back streets of Nishi-Azabu (Minato Ward) in an ultra-cautious mode.

On the other hand, Shugo Maki (27), who had a great chance to win a game against Australia on March 8 with two outs and Shohei Ohtani (31) at bat, was standing alone with his smartphone in his hand on a central Tokyo street that day.

Dressed in a black cap and dark tones, Maki, who looked somewhat melancholy, was headed for a building where a personal gym and other facilities were located. Perhaps he was quietly burning up his fighting spirit for the U.S. round, training in secret in order to clear his name.

Shugo Maki (Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars)

Sousuke Genda, 33, a key player in Japan’s defense, was strolling down the street at night, rolling a large suitcase.

The Samurai members stay at a luxury hotel in central Tokyo, but players who have homes in the Tokyo metropolitan area can go home the day before they are off duty. Genda once had an affair with a hostess in Ginza, so it is no wonder that he tries to go home to his family if he can spare even a little time.

The three key players left for the U.S. round in their own ways.

Sousuke Genda (Saitama Seibu Lions)

From the March 27/April 3, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY