Rakuten Eagles (20) of Naoki Hihata pitcher held his first professional win anniversary celebration at a hotel in his hometown of Sumida-ku, Tokyo, on March 3. About 110 people attended the event, including ward boys baseball advisor to the federation and assistant to Prime Minister Midori Matsushima, who supports the Takaichi cabinet, and Toru Yamamoto, the ward mayor, who encouraged the right-hander to break through in his third year in the upcoming season.

In his second year, he has pitched in 42 games for the second team, going 5-3 with three saves and ERA 3.59. In the first team, he pitched in the ninth inning against Seibu Lions on October 3 (Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi), behind by two runs, and struck out three closer before the team was lucky to win walk-off in the bottom of the inning. He got his first professional win.

"It was never the strength of one person alone, but the support of my family, teammates, and everyone who supports me," said Hito, expressing his gratitude. "Honestly, things haven't been good since I entered the professional world, and I've felt like giving up many times," he added. "But even so, I never gave up, and I fought with the desire to repay the kindness of my family, teammates, and everyone who supports me. This win isn't the finish line, it's the starting line. I want to become a top-class player that everyone can be proud of," he said, vowing to make even greater strides next season.

Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Matsushima said, "His first professional win came the day before the LDP presidential election, and it was a day when good things continued to happen, and many happy things happened one after the other. I hope he continues to win and raises the name of his (his former team) Kanegafuchi The Eagles just as much as Rakuten Eagles." Mayor Yamamoto also sent a passionate message, saying, "I believe that the children of Sumida Ward want to be like Hito-san and grow through baseball. I hope he will set an example and do great things next year."

When asked about his goal for next year by Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member Koki Fujisaki, who made the toast during the toast, he instinctively replied, "Most wins." At a press conference after his contract renewal in November, he stated his goal as "30 appearances, in a winning pattern," but he also showed his enthusiasm for swinging his right arm in any position to help the team win.