◇ WBC Japan National Team - Some members announced in advance

Some of the players participating in the "2026 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC"™ scheduled to be held in March 2026 have been decided. From the Pacific League teams, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Hiromi Ito pitcher, Chiba Lotte Marines Atsuki Taneichi pitcher, and Saitama Seibu Lions Kaima Taira pitcher were selected. The comments of the other members and players of the Pacific League team are as follows.

▼Participating members *Honorific titles omitted, () is the team belonging▼
Hiroki Matsui (San Diego Padres)
Hiromi Ito（Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters）
Trend (Yomiuri Giants)
Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Yusei Kikuchi (Los Angeles Angels)
Atsuki Taneichi（Chiba Lotte Marines）
Kaima Taira（Saitama Seibu Lions）
Daichi Ishii (Hanshin Tigers)

▼Ito pitcher Comment▼
"I am very honored to be selected as a member of the national team, and I am proud to be able to play with the Japanese flag on my back with all the wonderful players. I will do my best to face the opponent in any situation and show the world the strength of Japan."

▼Taneichi pitcher Comment▼
"In 2023, I was selected as a support member and had a wonderful experience of pitching in training games, etc., and at that time, I felt a very special atmosphere and tension in the team. I have spent my days watching the world's best team on TV and on the news, thinking that I want to join the team next time. I am very honored to have my pitching evaluated this time and to be chosen in this way. As a representative of The Marines, I would like to contribute to the team's win and world championships as a representative of Japan baseball. I will do my best!"

▼Taira pitcher Comment▼
"I am very honored to be selected for the WBC Japan National Team. I want to throw every pitch with everything I can with the responsibility and pride of fighting with the Japanese flag on my back. We will do everything we can to contribute to the win of Japan."

◇ Strategic partnership with Fukuoka Softbank Ajinomoto The Dragons

Fukuoka Softbank has signed a three-year strategic partnership agreement with the Wei Chuan The Dragons of the Chinese Professional baseball (CPBL) from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028. The agreement aims to promote exchanges between professional baseball in Japan and Taiwan, and to foster mutual development in the areas of baseball-related talent development and professional baseball business operations.

The two sides will discuss and implement specific initiatives, focusing on personnel exchanges, friendly matches, cooperation in developing young players, and measures related to the fan experience. On the 22nd, pitcher joined Fukuoka Softbank from the Wei Chun The Dragons.

Fukuoka Softbank announces new staff

Fukuoka Softbank announced the new staff members. The staff members announced this time are as follows.

▼New staff list ※Titles omitted▼

Takeshi Omura: Third Army Equipment Manager and Third Army Sub-Manager
Yoshitaka Yamaguchi: Third-string batting pitcher and third-string staff member
Sora Kato: Third-string bullpen catcher
Miyagawa Sho: Fourth Army Manager and Equipment Manager
Ryoma Hoshina: Farm athletic trainer
Satoshi Osawa: Firm Strength & Conditioning
Tomoki Miwa: Rehabilitation PT
Masahiro Matsumoto: Rehabilitation athletic trainer
Kenta Ekida: Mental Performance Coach, Farm Team Manager
Zhang Weihan: Chinese interpreter
Yuki Ishiwata: Data Science Analyst
Keishiro Hoshi: Data Science Analyst
Shiori Oyama: R&D Group fielder
Arata Shiino: Junior Youth Coach
Kamamoto Go: baseball Promotion Department Academy Coach
Kotaro Hoshino: Academy Coach, baseball Promotion Department

・ Updated almost daily! Today's Pacific League

Related Links
・ New staff (Fukuoka Softbank)
・ Strategic Partnership Agreement with Ajinomoto The Dragons