Rakuten Eagles announced on the 17th that former Lotte manager Masato Yoshii (61) will be taking over as their new manager. number will be "81".
As a result, manager Hajime Miki (49), who had been on leave since the 10th, will resign, and acting manager Tatsuya Shiokawa (43) will become head coach, while chief coach Yasunaga Makishi (66) will return to his position as general development coach. It has also been decided that pitcher coach Koji Aoyama (42) will change number to "82".
Hiroshi Mikitani (61), the owner who was present at the inauguration press conference in Sendai, offered words of farewell, saying, "I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Miki for leading the team up until now."
![[Photo] Does it suit him? New manager Yoshii in a Rakuten Eagles uniform](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/17/20260617-OHT1I51093-C.jpg)
![[Rakuten Eagles] New manager Masato Yoshii holds inaugural press conference: "I am very happy as a baseball person to be entrusted with such a big job." number "81"... Owner Hiroshi Mikitani also attends. Unusual external recruitment mid-season.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/17/20260617-OHT1I51076-C.jpg)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Owner Hiroshi Mikitani expresses gratitude to new manager Yoshii: "It was like picking chestnuts out of the fire"... New manager appointed after a "nothing to lose" offer; contract is "medium to long term"](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/17/20260617-OHT1I51071-C.jpg)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Owner Hiroshi Mikitani reveals his "nothing to lose" offer to new manager Yoshii; his enthusiasm pays off, and an unprecedented "medium- to long-term contract" is signed mid-season... He also declared his intention to build a strong team at the joint press conference.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/17/20260617-OHT1I51064-C.jpg)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Owner Hiroshi Mikitani: "I want to convey our seriousness to everyone." The reason why the "supreme leader" is attending an unusual press conference during the season... Passionate offer culminates in a "medium- to long-term contract" with new manager Masato Yoshii.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/16/20260616-OHT1I51447-C.jpg)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Owner Hiroshi Mikitani expresses his desire to break out of the slump with new manager Yoshii, "while making use of the experience" of Vissel Kobe, which has evolved into a J1 powerhouse.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/17/20260617-OHT1I51214-L.jpg)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Owner Hiroshi Mikitani reveals behind-the-scenes story of the appointment of new manager Yoshii; Hideki Kuriyama's "recommendation": "I have a very high opinion of Mr. Yoshii..."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/17/20260617-OHT1I51092-L.jpg)
![[NPB Today's Highlights] Can Rakuten Eagles avoid falling 10 games behind the leader for the first time since the 18-game interleague series was introduced in 2015?](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/16/20260616-OHT1I51600-L.jpg)
![[Full transcript of press conference] Rakuten Eagles owner Hiroshi Mikitani to new manager Masato Yoshii: "Develop a winner's mentality" The theoretical new manager is burning with fighting spirit: "We're going to win," "Spiritualism"](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/17/20260617-OHT1I51121-L.jpg)
