◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026: Orix Buffaloes vs. Hanshin Tigers (June 12, Kyocera Dome Osaka)
Enka singer Kaori Mizumori performed the national anthem at the pre-game ceremony. Having appeared in NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Contest) for 23 consecutive years, she is a beloved figure known as the "Queen of Local Songs." She delivered a magnificent and passionate performance at the first game of the "Kansai Derby" against Hanshin Tigers.
She has sung 173 songs across 45 prefectures and also serves as a tourism ambassador for 28 regions nationwide, as well as an ambassador for her hometown, Kita Ward in Tokyo. On March 31st, she released her new song, "Alone in Nagoya at the End of Love."
![[Photo] Naniwa Danshi's Joichiro Fujiwara shows off his brilliant form in his important role for the fifth year in a row.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/27/20260327-OHT1I51632-L.jpg)
![[Scoreboard] Orix Buffaloes vs. Hanshin Tigers](/asset/img/news/source/logo_hochi.png){kind=logo}
![[Orix Buffaloes] Daito Fukumori, battling rare cancer, throws ceremonial first pitch; in front of his close friend Tomoya Mori, he threw a no-ban for the second consecutive year pitch "A wonderful life"](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/12/20260612-OHT1I51470-C.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Hiroshi removed from active roster; Yasuto Takashima, runs 1 run in 1 inning against Hiroshima on June 7, is recalled to the team.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/12/20260612-OHT1I51264-C.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] "The Prince from Oji" Yasuto Takashima joins the first team! A specialist in long relief pitching.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/12/20260612-OHT1I51321-C.jpg)
