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 development team, won stolen base title last year for the fourth time in three years. Though he didn't reach the required number of at-bats, his batting average improved to .286. He firmly established himself as a regular center fielder. He started his first year as a development player with an annual salary of 4 million yen. "I hope I can be a guidepost. I want the younger players to know that if they work hard, they can earn this much," he said, sending a message to his younger development players. "I had very high ambitions. Even when I reached 40 million yen, I still thought, 'I want more.' And when I reached 100 million last year, I still thought, 'I want even more.' It was the same with Gita (Yanagi), but also Kondo and Yamakawa, who came from outside the team, Kenta (Imamiya), and Akira (Nakamura). I was making that much money, so I always wanted to be a player like them, to be close to them. I've always wanted to never be satisfied with the status quo," he said, revealing how his strong desire to improve led to his big contract.

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