Softbank Hawks outfielder Ukyo Shuto held contract renewal negotiations at Mizuho PayPay Dome on the 23rd, signing a five-year, multi-year contract worth 2 billion yen (the first three years are fixed, and the remaining two are variable). This is a significant increase from 110 million yen. If all goes well, he is expected to acquire domestic free agent rights within the year, and this is a major contract that will prevent the team from losing one of Japan's top speedsters. GM Mikasa commented, "He will be the core of the team. We want him to lead The Hawks to a strong team. It's great."

The 29-year-old, who came up through the minor league system, won his fourth stolen base title last year, his third in a row. Although he didn't reach the required number of plate appearances, his batting average of .286 showed improvement, solidifying his position as a regular center fielder. He started his first year in the minor league system with a salary of 4 million yen. "I hope this can be a guidepost for others. I want the younger players to think that if they work hard, they can earn this much," he said, sending a message to his younger teammates in the minor league system. "I had very high ambitions. Even when I got 40 million yen, I thought, 'I want more.' Last year when I got 100 million yen, I thought, 'I want even more.' It's the same with Gīta (Yanagita), but also with Kondō and Yamakawa who came from outside the team, Kenta (Imamura), and Akira (Nakamura). They were all earning that much, so I always thought I wanted to become a player like them, to get closer to them. I've always had the feeling that I don't want to be satisfied with the status quo," he said, explaining how his strong desire for improvement led to this large contract.