Takumi Kuriyama, an outfielder in his 25th year with the Seibu Lions, held a retirement press conference in Tokyo on the 30th. More than 600 members of Kuriyama's fan club also gathered at the venue. There were moments during the exchanges at the press conference where loud applause broke out.

When Kuriyama was asked about his best play, he expressed his determination to perform his best in that day's game, saying, 'I think the best one will be the hit I get today,' which drew loud applause from the audience. Furthermore, when asked by a fan if the number on the 'hit count' would increase further in the upcoming game, he powerfully declared, 'It will definitely advance,' and loud applause broke out once again.

The game against the Rakuten Eagles (Belluna Dome) starting at 5:00 PM will be held as Kuriyama's retirement game. A ceremony is also scheduled after the game, where he will wear his familiar uniform and show his final heroic appearance to the home fans.

Kuriyama joined the team from Ikuei High School in Hyogo as a fourth-round draft pick in 2001. He made his professional debut on September 24, 2004, in a game against Kintetsu (Osaka Dome). In the 2016 off-season, he exercised his international free agency rights but chose to stay, and in 2020, he acquired international free agency rights again but stayed once more, saying, 'I want to continue wearing this uniform from next year onwards and do my best to make the fans happy.' On September 4, 2021, he achieved a total of 2,000 hits, becoming the first homegrown player in the club's history to do so. During contract negotiations in November 2025, he announced his retirement at the end of the 2026 season. In this season, his 25th year as a professional, he appeared in 10 games, with a batting average of .111 and 1 hit. He has no RBI or Home Runs.

Takumi Kuriyama. Born September 3, 1983, in Hyogo Prefecture. 42 years old. Joined the Seibu Lions from Ikuei as the 4th round draft pick in 2001. First appearance was on September 24, 2004, against Kintetsu. Achieved 2,000 hit in 2021. Four-time Best Nine, one-time Golden Glove winner. Stats as of August 29: 2,322 games played, 2,151 hit, 128 Home Run, 3,001 total bases, 914 RBI, 1,052 Walk. Career batting average is .277. 177 cm, 85 kg. Throws right, bats left.