 Spurred by the words, “Kippei can make it to the majors,” he decided to return to baseball…

 Kippei Mikawa played for the Rikkyo University baseball team as a promising right-hander with a top speed of 149 km/h, but after failing to produce results, he left baseball to find a job. However, unable to find a sense of purpose in his corporate career, he realized once again that baseball was his only true calling…

He Walked Away From a Career to Chase a Dream—Now He’s Fighting for an MLB Future

 A Specialist in Defense and Baserunning Who Played for the SoftBank Hawks, Lotte Marines, and Kufu Hayate

 A first for an NPB-trained position player! Shuhei Fukuda, now serving as a coach in MLB, is teaching defensive and baserunning techniques while touring the Mariners’ academy in the Dominican Republic, as well as their rookie league, minor league, and major league teams—all while overcoming the language barrier.

&#8220;Blood, Sweat, and Tears&#8221; — Mariners Coach Shuhei Fukuda Opens Up About Life in the Majors

 Takehiko Kohiyama

 Having advanced past the group stage, the Japanese national soccer team is set to face off against “soccer powerhouse” Brazil in a decisive showdown. Leading these Samurai has been Head Coach Hajime Moriyasu, but…

Hajime Moriyasu&#8217;s Rising Reputation Sparks Global Interest Ahead of the World Cup

 Afro

 Amid the intense competition in the North and Central American World Cup group stage, the Japanese national team has gotten off to a strong start with one win and one draw. While the whole country is buzzing with excitement, specialized media outlets and sponsors are troubled by signs of waning popularity for the national team.

Sponsors Alarmed as Japan&#8217;s National Team Loses Its Shine Amid FIFA&#8217;s Commercial Push

 Afro (Photos 1 and 2)

 Shohei Ohtani has been making headlines for his “bench gesture” with Munetaka Murakami. The two, who played together as members of Samurai Japan in the WBC, had been deepening their friendship off the field as well…

Inside the Secret Chicago Dinner That Brought Ohtani, Yamamoto, Sasaki, and Murakami Together

 Ryoji Hanamasa

 Yuki Yanagita, who has won seven league titles and eight Japan Series championships with SoftBank, is entering the final year of his seven-year contract this year. The man who declared in the offseason of 2019 that he would remain with the Hawks for life is now said to be battling the effects of aging that come at him day by day

&#8220;I&#8217;ve Become an Old Guy&#8221; — SoftBank Slugger Yuki Yanagita Reflects on Age, Growth, and Baseball

 Yushi Taguchi

 Last season, following Tommy John surgery, he seemed to be pitching cautiously...

 The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani has a 0.74 ERA this season and is the top contender for the Cy Young Award. Professor Taku Kawamura of Tsukuba University analyzes the evolution of his pitching form—indicating a full recovery from surgery—using a series of photographs. He masterfully utilizes seven different pitch types by adjusting the tilt of both shoulders.

[Shohei Ohtani] Utilizing a Diverse Repertoire of Pitches, He’s on Track for a Dream 20 Wins… “Unstoppable with His ‘Reverse C-Shape’ Pitching Form”

 Masao Kurihara

 Kōji Watanabe

 Aiming for the Quarterfinals!

 At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Keito Nakamura scored his first World Cup goal—and Moriyasu Japan’s first goal of the tournament—in the June 14 match against the Netherlands. Nakamura, who scored the equalizer off an assist from his close friend Kubo Takefusa, looks back on the match.

Keito Nakamura: “We ’00s-Born Players Will Break Through the World’s Barriers With Our Rise!” — Japan’s World Cup Support Feature

 Kyodo News

 Following the dismissal of former manager Hajime Miki (49) and the surprise appointment of manager Masato Yoshii (61), Rakuten is reportedly plotting a new “move.”

Rakuten Exploring a Trade for Hanshin Catcher Ryutaro Umeno as Both Sides Seek a Better Fit

 JMPA

 Aiming for the Quarterfinals! Special Feature: Cheering on the Japan National Team at the World Cup—A Heroic Header in the Group Stage’s Toughest Match Against the Netherlands

 Koki Ogawa, who scored the game-winning header against the Netherlands—the toughest opponent in the group stage—says he’s glad he was able to prove through his performance that he is an absolutely indispensable player for Moriyasu’s Japan. Technically, the goal wasn’t credited to him… but Ogawa still held his head high.

“I’ll Bloom When the Time Comes!” Koki Ogawa’s Bold World Cup Declaration

 Kojiro Watanabe

 Japan National Team Support Special

 Japan National Soccer Team Head Coach Hajime Moriyasu and his senior, Ikuo Matsumoto. How does “Hajime Moriyasu” appear in Matsumoto’s eyes? The man who once shaped the history of Japanese soccer in Mexico speaks candidly about Coach Moriyasu and “Moriyasu Japan.”

[Full Interview] The Words Moriyasu’s Mentor Ikuo Matsumoto Gave to a Player Who Makes No Mistakes

 [Aiming for the Quarterfinals! World Cup Japan National Team Support Special] The player meeting led by “Coach” Nagatomo, Kiyo Ueda’s secret training that led to a dramatic goal, and the style of “Endurance Monster” Kaishu Sano…

 Aiming for the Quarterfinals! Behind the scenes of the convincing victory over Tunisia in the second World Cup group stage match: the ace’s hard work, both on defense and offense… With the growth of the “stamina monster” and a pep talk from a veteran, Moriyasu’s Japan’s “full-throttle” run shows no signs of stopping!

The Hidden Ingredients Behind Moriyasu Japan’s World Cup Charge

 This Is His First World Cup! “I Watched the Roster Announcement Live Stream with My Heart Pounding”

 The CONCACAF tournament marks Nakamura’s first World Cup. Although he’s had to fill in on the left wing due to a string of injuries, his partnership with Ito—his former teammate at Stade de Reims in France—seems to be going strong. “I just need to stay focused,” says the national team’s most handsome player, showing not a hint of arrogance.

[Full Text] Keito Nakamura Is Ready to Lead the Attack After Battling Through Adversity

 Hide Nishihara

 Just like the players continuing their impressive run in the World Cup—or perhaps even more so—the “commentary” of former Japan national team player Keisuke Honda is drawing significant attention. What is the surprising “true self” of this man who once shone as a key player for the Samurai Blue?……

Keisuke Honda’s Multi-Faceted Career—Player, Coach, Investor—And the Aggressive Drive That Amazes His Rivals

 Yusuke Mimura (Sports Writer)

 Kyodo News (4th photo) Yusuke Mimura (others)

 From Shunsuke Nakamura to Maya Yoshida… “Secret Strategies Shared by the Legends,” Right Down to the Ace’s “Birthday”

 The pre-World Cup training camp in Mexico. During training, the team used drones—introduced since the last World Cup—and received generous support from legendary former players. Amid the grueling training sessions, they celebrated a birthday, and the team’s atmosphere was truly upbeat.

Moriyasu Japan’s Final Preparations: On-Site Report Shows Strong Outlook for a Historic Top 8 Finish

 FRIDAY Editorial Department

 On June 17, the Rakuten Eagles announced the appointment of former Lotte manager Masato Yoshii (61) as their new manager. It is extremely unusual to bring in a manager from outside the organization mid-season.

Will Rakuten Finally End Front Office Interference Under New Manager Masato Yoshii?

 Taiga Hirasawa, a new addition to the Seibu Lions, is leading the team as they currently sit atop the standings. He transferred from the Lotte Marines via the active player draft two years ago. “I was lucky to be picked up,” he says—but what exactly sparked his breakthrough...?

Taiga Hirasawa Credits Kuriyama for Igniting His Career Revival

 Yakult’s Tetsuto Yamada (33), who has been sidelined by a strained left internal oblique muscle, is working hard to return to the first team, but he is reportedly struggling with an unexpected “tough opponent.”

Tetsuto Yamada Can’t Wait to Rejoin Yakult’s Top Squad—And the Reason May Surprise You

 Sports Hochi/Aflo (1st photo), Tsuyoshi Kinugawa (2nd photo)

 The Japan national soccer team, considered one of the tournament favorites, drew 2–2 against the higher-ranked Netherlands. In a tough match where they trailed for most of the game, veteran Yuto Nagatomo—who has made five consecutive appearances in this tournament—continued to cheer on his teammates from the bench…

Yuto Nagatomo’s Influence Goes Beyond the Pitch, Says Former National Team Star

 Regarding former Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe (47), who was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department in late May on suspicion of assaulting his eldest daughter and resigned unexpectedly the following day, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office decided on June 15 to suspend prosecution. However, it is reported that plans for his return to terrestrial television are already being drawn up.

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

 Takamoto Tokuhara/Aflo (1st photo), Ichiro Takatsuka (2nd photo)

 In their World Cup opener, the Japanese national soccer team drew 2–2 with the Netherlands, a formidable opponent considered a “title contender.” Defender Shogo Taniguchi played the full 90 minutes, energizing the team on both offense and defense. Behind the scenes, supporting him was…

Shogo Taniguchi Shines at Both Ends—With Wife Rika Izumi by His Side and a Major Decision Ahead

 Masao Kurihara　

 Kozumi Watanabe

 Japan National Soccer Team Manager Hajime Moriyasu and his senior, Ikuo Matsumoto. How does “Hajime Moriyasu” appear in his eyes? The man who once made history for Japanese soccer in Mexico spoke about Manager Moriyasu and “Moriyasu Japan.”

&#8220;He Never Makes the Wrong Call&#8221;—Hajime Moriyasu&#8217;s Former Coach Explains His Greatest Strength

 Keito Nakamura is set to play a key role for the Japan National Team at the FIFA World Cup in North and Central America. With Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma forced to withdraw from the tournament, Nakamura is drawing attention as a key player on the left wing. He shared his thoughts on his first World Cup

[Special Feature: Supporting the Japan National Team] Keito Nakamura: The Thoughts of the &#8220;Too-Handsome Key Player&#8221;—&#8221;The World Cup Has Been My Source of Strength&#8221;

 On June 9, the Rakuten Eagles announced that Manager Hajime Miki (49) would be taking a leave of absence, and Head Coach Tatsuya Shiokawa (43) is currently serving as interim manager. What lies behind this sudden leave of absence?<br />


&#8220;You know what I mean, right?&#8221; Rakuten Manager Hajime Miki on the &#8220;words Owner Mikitani spoke&#8221; just before his leave of absence, and the next manager candidate

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