On the 29th, outfielder Haruki Nishikawa (33), who returned to his former Nippon-Ham after a five-year absence, expressed his determination to be reborn as an "ikeoji" (cool older man). He participated in an early voluntary training session in Nago, Okinawa, and said, "I'll be 34 (in April this year), so I may not be the Nishikawa Haruki that everyone knows, but I'd like to defy my age and take my first step as an ikeoji (cool older man)."

On this day, he practiced his first outdoor batting practice of the year. He personally invited his then teammate, Kiyomiya Yuki, to catch with him. "I hardly know any of the players, so I have to remember their names too." He will start camp with the first team from February 1st. "I have nothing to lose. I want to find a new me and improve even more." The four-time stolen base champion speedster has reached the starting line in his new home. (Kawakami Haruki)