 Kyodo News

 Shinnosuke Abe, 47, is under strict orders to regain V in his third year in charge of the Giants. He is said to have given his pitchers a boost with extraordinary determination to beat the Hanshin team.

Be prepared to get hit! Behind the Giants&#8217; back-to-back wins over the Hanshin Tigers, Abe&#8217;s &#8220;Han-ki Kisho&#8221; (proclamation of the spirit of mankind)&#8230;Fujikawa&#8217;s &#8220;silent intimidation&#8221; against the Giants?

 AFLO

 Against the Rangers' best right fielder, Jacob deGrom, Shohei Ohtani got off to a great start as a hitter by hitting No. 5 without much effort. His hitting itself has improved from last year, and he has improved his output and certainty at the same time.

Shohei Ohtani Off to Career-Best Power Start, Driven by Improved Lower-Body Mechanics

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 Special Interview Part 1

 Kenta Maeda, who has returned to the Japanese baseball world after an 11-year absence, is famous for such routines as "Maeken gymnastics," but he says he does not do them simply for the sake of experience. It all started in his second year as a professional baseball player in Hiroshima, against Nippon Ham in June of 2008.

Masahiro Tanaka Returns to NPB After 11 Years, Reveals Strict 20-Step Daily Routine

 Special Interview Part 2

 In addition to his routine, Maeda also emphasizes the importance of "giving yourself 20% leeway. He says he realized this during a match against Yakult in April 2010, when he faced Hiroyasu Tanaka. He also talked about his relationship with Darvish, who has been a great influence on him, and his goals for the future.

Masahiro Tanaka Emphasizes Balance in Career, Credits Yu Darvish’s Influence

 AP/Afro

 April 15 is Jackie Robinson Day. It is the anniversary of Robinson's debut with the Dodgers, the team that paved the way for people of color to reach the majors. Our experts on the Majors will share the moving flesh of Mrs. Rachel, who is still alive at the age of 103.

Jackie Robinson’s Wife Reveals Untold Story of Courage That Changed Baseball

 Takahiro Kagawa

 Shohei Otani has been on a roll this season in both pitching and hitting, including breaking Ichiro's Japanese record of 43 consecutive games on base. What the reporter saw of his true face off the field. ......

The Origin of a Phenomenon Shohei Ohtani Through a Reporter’s Eyes

 The Queen, who has entrusted the future of Japanese Figure to the next generation, wiped away her tears, and left the rink with her usual smile. Chiba, Nakai, or perhaps - who will inherit Sakamoto's strong and graceful performance?

 Kaori SAKAMOTO retired from the World Figure Championships after winning her 4th World Figure Championships, the most by a Japanese skater. Silver medalist Momone Chiba and Milan Olympics bronze medalist Ami Nakai are the next-generation aces. Mao Shimada, who will switch to senior next season, is also preparing for a possible sweep of the Olympic podium.

Japan&#8217;s Women’s Figure Skating Enters a New Golden Era Led by Rising Stars

 Rookie Murakami has hit in three straight games, Okamoto has hit his first home run, and Suzuki, Yoshida, Kanno, and Kikuchi have all played in the WBC.

 Rating the expectations of 13 Samurai Major Leaguers.......first time in history for the Dodgers! A Japanese pitcher was entrusted with the starting mound for three consecutive games. And this year, more Samurai Major Leaguers other than the three Dodgers are expected to make TV headlines.

Samurai MLB 13 Ranked SS to D Bold Expectation Scale

 Kenshi Sugitani, 35, a Nippon Ham alumnus who now works as a YouTube star, has seen his reputation as a reporter "explode. Why is this?

Reporter Kenshi Sugitani&#8217;s reputation &#8220;explodes&#8221;&#8230; &#8220;Japan&#8217;s most humble baseball evangelist&#8221; is a junior powerhouse.

 The Yakult baseball team, which finished in last place last year, is doing well. They have won five straight games to open the season, and as of April 9, they are in first place in the Central League. The shining star is manager Takahiro Ikeyama, who has been taking charge of the Yakult team in irregular fashion. Former Yakult No. 4 and close ally of manager Ikeyama explains the "Art of War of the Underdog.

The reason for Yakult&#8217;s great performance is the &#8220;Art of War for the Weak&#8221;, says Ikeyama&#8217;s ally.

 Daisuke Iwasaki

 Less than a month before the clash between Naoya Inoue and Jyunjin Nakatani, the fight of the century is drawing the interest of politicians who are engaged in daily power struggles. Here are the predictions of former professional boxers, members of the Boxing Congress, and 30 years of experience in watching fights!

Akama Jiro, Kato Katsunobu, Mihara Junko, and Tanabe Masayo

 Shinsuke Sakai

 Forever Young is the "World's Strongest Dirt Horse. In Japan and Saudi Arabia, he has beaten the world's best horses, but for some reason, he has not been able to win in Dubai. This time, he should have been in perfect physical condition, but why couldn't he win? Let us find out the reason for his defeat.

So Close in Second Place — The Dubai Dirt and Final-Stretch Trap That Swallowed Japan’s World’s Strongest Horse, Forever Young

 Hiroyuki Komatsu (1st photo)

 A Legend Behind 60 Years of Nippon Broadcasting System's Show-Up Nightly Programming

 Tsunoki Miyata, a veteran of the Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc. show "Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc. He is still a legend today, continuing to provide live broadcasts as Japan's first "play-by-play announcer in his 80s.

80-Year-Old Veteran Broadcaster Miyata Tsuneki Recounts Legendary Players and Iconic Games That Defined an Era

 A veteran announcer tells his secret story (Part 2)... The '85 Hanshin League championship game between Ichiro and Daisuke Matsuzaka, the "best game ever" for a play-by-play announcer

 Tsunoki Miyata not only broadcasted the Giants' games, but he was also present at the moment of the Hanshin League championship in 1985. He even traveled across the ocean to report the game. The best game he ever played was the game between the Giants and Yakult on September 4, 2009.

Veteran Baseball Voice Miyata Tsunoki, 80s, Still Finds Excitement in Every Broadcast

 There are more than 20 routines that I have to do every day" -- Kenta Maeda is not just looking for a good luck!

 Kenta Maeda, who has won 68 games in the Majors and returned to Japanese baseball after an 11-year absence, is famous for his "Maeken Gymnastics" and other routines, but he is more than just a testament to his success. It all started in his second year as a professional baseball player in Hiroshima, against Nippon Ham in June 2008.

Maeda Kenta Returns to Japan After 11 Years with 20+ Routines and a 20% Margin Mindset

 Aflo %e3%83%90%e3%83%90%e3%83%90

 Part 2

 An analysis company conducted an independent survey on the "degree of attraction by generation" to world sporting events such as the WBC and the Olympics!

Rugby and Olympic Judo Attract Peak Working Age Fans as Sports World Tournament Engagement Rankings by Generation Revealed

 Afro

 Part 1

 An analysis company conducted an independent survey on the "degree of nail-biting by generation" for world sporting championships such as the WBC and the Olympics.

Why the WBC Ranks Low in Surprise Generation-Based Engagement Rankings of Global Sports Tournaments

 Shocking 3-game debut in a row, attributed to a minor change in hitting form

 In his first major league game on March 27, Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox drowned out the concerns of fans in Japan and the United States with his ability. The reason for his success was a minor change in his hitting form that he has been working on in anticipation of his challenge in the Majors.

Munetaka Murakami, White Sox: &#8220;Small Steps&#8221; Seen as A-League Homerun King!

 On March 31, Chonami Yoshida left Loco Solare and will join the professional league in April. She sent a message to the members saying, "Until we reunite at the age of 50, I bid you all a fond farewell. We look back on Yoshida's past heroics with these images.

Chinami Yoshida Announces Departure from Loco Solare Members Show Heartfelt Bonds That May Not Be Seen Until 50-Year Reunion

 Rikako Ikee won the triple crown at the Japan Swimming Championships. However, Rikako Ikee was not satisfied with the result, saying, "I feel like I was defeated by my feelings. However, the results of the body modification she has been working on since last off-season are gradually showing results.

Rikako Ikee Goes All In on Sprinting Wins Triple Crown and Secures Five Straight Titles at Japan Swimming Championships

 Although she narrowly missed the Milano Olympics, she defeated strong opponents one after another in order to get back on the world stage!

 On the world's biggest stage, Mayuki Fujisawa is still a strong competitor! Momori Koana is a newcomer to Rocco Solare, and it seems that Fujisawa has been able to draw more out of her by competing alongside Chinami Yoshida. She herself has also shown mental strength. She has proven her ability at the world level.

Japan National Team Loco Solare Satsuki Fujisawa Shows Grit and Evolution at the World Championships

 Special Report - Part 2

 After the excitement of the WBC has passed, the regular season of professional baseball for the year 2026 has finally begun. This time, FRIDAY took a look at the pennant race using the "sabermetric" method. What are our predictions for the Pacific League standings?

Pro Baseball 2026 Opening Predicted Champions by Sabermetrics Here Are the Top Teams Pacific League Edition

 Special Report Part 1

 After the excitement of the WBC has passed, the regular season of professional baseball in 2026 has finally begun. This time, FRIDAY took a look at the pennant race using the "sabermetric" method. What are our predictions for the Central League standings?

Pro Baseball 2026 Opening Sabermetrics Reveal the Top Contenders Central League Edition

 Izumi Nakagawa

 Shohei Otani and other young athletes of the Z Generation learn from the theory of nurturing young athletes. The latest in mental management and goal-setting, such as the "de-emphasis on guts" that draws out initiative from waiting for instructions, and the "use of data" that links failure to growth, are explained in this must-see for managers.

Sports

Be prepared to get hit! Behind the Giants’ back-to-back wins over the Hanshin Tigers, Abe’s “Han-ki Kisho” (proclamation of the spirit of mankind)…Fujikawa’s “silent intimidation” against the Giants?