Shinnosuke Abe’s Possible Media Comeback After Non-Prosecution Decision

“It’s our turn to repay the favor.”

Regarding former Yomiuri Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe (47), who was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department in late May on suspicion of assaulting his eldest daughter and abruptly resigned the following day, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office decided on June 15 not to indict him.

A Tokyo-based key television network insider reflects on the “Abe incident.”

“Even among housewives with no interest in baseball, the arrest of a sitting Giants manager was quite sensational, and news programs also saw high ratings. People likely viewed this as a family issue rather than just a baseball story. Because it did not end as a mere sports news item, it continued to be covered daily by various TV stations and information programs.”

Abe, who suddenly took off his uniform and entered a state of suspension, might have been expected to withdraw not only from the baseball world but also from the media. However, those close to him have already begun planning a comeback.

“A group company of the Yomiuri Giants, Nippon Television, is considering bringing Abe on as a commentator and guest personality as early as next year. The plan seems to be to start with guest commentary on sports news programs and eventually have him appear as a commentator for Giants game broadcasts,” said a source within the network.

Nippon Television, which programs sports news daily on shows such as news zero on weekdays and “Going! Sports & News” on weekends, naturally covers Giants-related topics frequently.

“From his rookie days, Abe was a central player, and the production staff have relied on him extensively. Not only did they maintain communication through dinners and meetings, but he also allowed exclusive coverage of his overseas training camps, saying, ‘It’s Nippon TV, so it’s fine.’ Since becoming manager, the level of interaction increased further, and executives feel a strong sense of gratitude toward him.

In addition, more than 130,000 online signatures calling for Abe’s managerial return—once mocked by some as useless—are not unrelated. While it seemed difficult for him to return to the media while public sentiment remained negative, his continued popularity was unexpectedly confirmed. Although he will likely remain in self-restraint for the rest of the year given the non-prosecution decision, the new year will mark a natural turning point. The understanding is: ‘Now it’s our turn to repay the favor.’” (same source)

For Abe, an unexpected tailwind has begun to blow. Next season, a new version of Shinnosuke Abe may appear on television screens across Japan.