On June 20th, the "Pacific League League Sports Job Fair 2026 Summer by doda," a mid-career recruitment event specializing in the professional baseball industry, was held in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. This was the first time the event had been held in person in seven years since 2019. This year's event provided an opportunity for attendees to "speak directly" with HR and on-site personnel, and featured exhibitors from the six Pacific League teams and Pacific League Marketing Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as PLM). A large number of applicants attended the event.

The event began with a talk session by HR and recruitment personnel, where they discussed the talent and actual work involved in the professional baseball industry in a roundtable format. In the first part, representatives from Rakuten Eagles baseball, Inc., Chiba Lotte Marines Co., Ltd., Fukuoka Softbank Hawks Co., Ltd., and PLM took the stage.

When considering a career change to the sports industry, one of the main concerns is likely, “Can I succeed in this field even without prior experience?” Miki Kano, a manager in the Human Resources Group at Rakuten Eagles baseball, who herself made a career change from a different industry, said, “Since there are opportunities for reassignment after joining the company, those who are open to taking on any challenge—rather than being fixated on a specific job title—tend to thrive.”

In addition to a proactive attitude, strong communication skills also appear to be highly valued by other teams. Whether in sales, merchandising (MD), or any other position, no job can be done entirely on one’s own; collaboration with others is essential. Therefore, the findings suggest that even those without prior experience can fully seize the opportunity to excel if they demonstrate a proactive attitude.

In addition, during the panel discussion, the speakers provided guidance on interview preparation as a key selection criterion. They also discussed the importance of industry research and self-analysis—including questions such as “Why do you want to work for that particular team?” and “What strengths can you leverage after joining the company?”

◇ Click here for details on the talk session

Company information sessions where you can hear real voices from people on the ground.

Following the HR roundtable discussion, company information sessions were held at the booths of the six Pacific League League teams and PLM.

The event was packed with unique information, including basic company details, the business operations of each open position, and real-life experiences from team staff working on the front lines. During the Q&A session, questions arose such as "What are the differences in work styles during the season and the off-season?" and "What are the challenges and things you keep in mind while working?", with participants diligently taking notes. Furthermore, after the general presentation concluded, some attendees were seen asking individual questions to the team staff.

Participants in this event shared feedback such as, "My motivation for job hunting has increased," and "I now understand the type of person they are looking for, and it has become clear how I should act." Those who had also participated in previous online events seemed even more satisfied, saying, "Meeting them in person allowed me to get a feel for the team's atmosphere and philosophy, and I was also able to ask specific questions, which boosted my motivation."

The "Pacific League Sports Job Fair 2026 Summer by doda" was the first step in my job search. If you're interested in working in the sports industry, I encourage you to apply for jobs.

Interview and text by Yuna Takahashi