Why is Japan Best at Baseball in the World?

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 02 August 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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Japan Best at Baseball

• Is Japan the Best at Baseball?
• Best Baseball Players in Japan
• Roots of Japanese Baseball
• Top Japanese Baseball Teams
• Training Secrets of Japan
• Key Moments in Japan’s Success
• Future of Japanese Baseball

Is Japan the best at baseball? Well, that’s an interesting question – and if you voiced that opinion in the 1990s, you’d have been laughed at! Today, however, the Japanese baseball circuit is more competitive than ever before – and it’s even giving the MLB a run for its money.

In today’s blog, we examine how this has happened, and look at why the sport is growing so fast in Japan.

Is Japan the Best at Baseball?

Japan’s success in baseball is undeniable. With a rich history and numerous trophies, the question “Is Japan the best at baseball?” has become a lot more common in recent years. After all, Japan has consistently demonstrated its strength in the sport, from dominating international competitions to producing some of the world’s top players.

Japanese baseball, or Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), has a unique approach that combines discipline, teamwork, and a deep understanding of the game’s fundamentals. With a sound training ethic and lots of international experience, Japan has now become one of the top countries in the world in the sport – and it’s won numerous championships.

What’s more, Japanese baseball players can be so good that many of them have been snapped up by MLB teams! This has had quite a significant impact on the game – and it’s thrust Japan into the international baseball spotlight – something that used to be reserved solely for the United States.

In this blog, we’re going to explore everything from the best baseball players in Japan, to how the game evolved. To begin with, here’s a quick overview of some notable Japanese baseball achievements:

Best Baseball Players in Japan

Japan has a rich history of producing exceptional baseball players, and the best baseball players in Japan have made significant contributions to the sport both in their home country and internationally. The Nippon Professional Baseball league, Japan’s top professional baseball league, has produced numerous players who have proven, time and time again, that they’re able to compete in the biggest international leagues.

One of the most well-known Japanese baseball players is Ichiro Suzuki, who made his NPB debut in 1992 with the Orix BlueWave. Suzuki’s incredible batting ability, speed, and defensive skills earned him seven consecutive batting titles in Japan before he transitioned to the MLB in 2001.

Throughout his MLB career, Suzuki set numerous records, including the single-season hit record with 262 hits in 2004, and he even became the first Japanese player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame!

Another prominent figure in Japanese baseball is Shohei Ohtani, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels in the MLB. Ohtani, known as a “two-way player,” is both a fantastic pitcher and batter. In 2021, he made history by becoming the first player to be selected as an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher in the same season. Anyone asking who is the best baseball player in Japan currently will almost certainly be told it’s Ohtani.

Other notable Japanese players who have made a significant impact in the NPB and beyond include Sadaharu Oh, who holds the world record for most home runs in a professional career with 868; Hideki Matsui, who had a successful career in both the NPB and MLB, winning the World Series MVP award in 2009; and Masahiro Tanaka, a dominant pitcher who played for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles before joining the New York Yankees in 2014.

The popularity of Japanese baseball in the United States is on the rise as more tune in to watch games live or catch up via highlights packages. The same goes for those that like to wager, with more sportsbooks with Japanese baseball odds and prop markets. Japense teams and rising stars are certainly becoming household names in the US.

Roots of Japanese Baseball

If you’re asking who is the baseball player in Japan, or simply want to know more about the game, one thing you probably want to learn about is the game’s history!

The roots of Japanese baseball can be traced back to the late 19th century, when the sport was introduced to Japan by American educators and missionaries. The first recorded baseball game in Japan took place in 1872, and the sport quickly gained popularity among Japanese students.

Over the years, baseball evolved from a recreational activity to a highly organized and competitive sport, and today, it’s ingrained deeply into Japanese culture – often to the surprise of Americans!

There have been a number of key moments in Japanese baseball, one of the biggest of which took place in 1925 when the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League was founded. Initially, this brought together six universities who played one another – although it soon expanded to welcome other teams and players.

In 1936, Nippon Professional Baseball was founded, and this is when professional baseball really began to take off. Initially, the NPB included just a few teams – but it quickly expanded, adding new teams and divisions. Today, baseball is so popular in Japan, it’s even integrating with the US’ MLB – and we’re now seeing players transferring between the two leagues.

In fact, as the popularity of baseball in Japan continues to increase, it’s likely that we’ll begin to see players migrating to other leagues too. For example, baseball is also growing in South Korea – and some Japanese players have started to play in Korean teams, and vice versa.

Top Japanese Baseball Teams

Japan boasts several top-tier baseball teams, each with a rich history and a strong track record of success. These teams compete in the NPB, which is divided into two leagues: the Central League and the Pacific League. In this section, we’ll highlight some of the top Japanese baseball teams and their achievements.

The Yomiuri Giants, based in Tokyo, are one of the most successful and popular teams in Japan. Established in 1934, the Giants have won numerous championships, including over 20 Japan Series titles. The team’s success and long history have earned them the nickname “the New York Yankees of Japan.” The Giants’ home games at the Tokyo Dome attract large crowds, and their games are widely broadcasted to viewers all around the world!

Another prominent team is the Hanshin Tigers, based in Nishinomiya. Known for their passionate fan base and fierce rivalry with the Yomiuri Giants, the Tigers have a strong presence in Japanese baseball. The team’s home games at Koshien Stadium, one of the most iconic baseball stadiums in Japan, are always lively and well-attended. The Tigers have won several Central League titles and one Japan Series championship.

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, based in Fukuoka, are another well-known team in the NPB. The Hawks have won multiple Japan Series titles in recent years, and they’re often cited as being the most consistent team in Japanese baseball.

The Hawks’ home games at Fukuoka PayPay Dome are some of the loudest in the league – and spectators come from all over the world to watch these games!

Training Secrets of Japan

The success of Japanese baseball has often been attributed to the rigorous training regimens and disciplined approach adopted by players and coaches. Many Japanese players often get a surprise when transitioning to the MLB, with some complaining that training sessions are too unstructured!

One of the key aspects of Japanese baseball training is the emphasis on fundamentals. Players are taught to master the basics of hitting, pitching, fielding, and base running from a very young age. Many experts claim that it’s this strong foundation that allows players to develop advanced skills and techniques and makes Japan the best in world baseball.

Discipline and work ethic are also central to Japanese baseball training – and this is something that’s as much of a cultural thing as it is a practical one. For example, Japanese baseball players are expected to adhere to strict schedules and maintain a high level of commitment to their training. This includes long hours of practice, conditioning, and drills designed to improve specific skills.

Japanese baseball players are also taught mental training exercises – including, at some teams, meditative thinking! This is designed to help them remain calm under pressure – and this is one of the few parts of their training that most other countries don’t use.

Key Moments in Japan’s Success

Japan’s rise to dominance in baseball is marked by several key moments that have shaped the sport’s landscape in the country. In this section, we’ll look at some of the key moments in Japanese baseball that have helped to shape the sport into the success it is today.

As we mentioned earlier, one of the earliest milestones was the establishment of the first professional baseball league in 1936. This would go on to pave the way for a structured and competitive environment – one that remains today.

After World War II ended, Japanese baseball saw exponential growth, with iconic teams like the Yomiuri Giants and the Hanshin Tigers captivating fans across the country. The 1950s and 60s saw the rise of legendary players like Sadaharu Oh, whose record-breaking 868 home runs is one of the greatest sporting feats in Japanese history.

The establishment of the Pacific League in 1950 was another crucial moment in Japanese baseball history. The creation of a second professional league provided more opportunities for players and increased the level of competition in Japanese baseball. The rivalry between the Central League and the Pacific League remains to this day.

Another key moment in Japanese baseball was when their national team won the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. Japan’s team, managed by Sadaharu Oh, defeated Cuba in the final to scoop the championship – and this win had a huge impact on the popularity of the sport, not just in Japan, but worldwide, too.

Another significant event is the success of Japanese players in MLB. Hideo Nomo’s debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 marked the beginning of a wave of Japanese players making their mark in MLB, and this would go on to pave the way for other Japanese stars like Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, and Shohei Ohtani to play in the US.

Future of Japanese Baseball

The future of Japanese baseball looks promising, with a strong foundation built on decades of success and a near-endless stream of new talent. In fact, it’s the way that this new talent is trained that makes Japanese baseball so impressive.

The country has developed a robust system for nurturing young talent, and there are, today, numerous youth leagues, high school tournaments, and collegiate programs dedicated to baseball. The annual National High School Baseball Championship, known as Koshien, is a prestigious tournament that showcases the best young players in the country.

Technological advancements and data analytics are also looking like they’re going to play a significant role in the future of Japanese baseball. Teams are increasingly using technology to analyze player performance, develop strategies, and optimize training methods.

For example, the integration of data analytics into coaching and management practices is expected to have a significant impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of player development and team performance. However, this isn’t something that’s exclusive to Japan – and we’re seeing the USA using similar technology, too.

Finally, there’s the global expansion of Japanese baseball. As more Japanese players succeed in the MLB – along with some other international leagues – the visibility and popularity of Japanese baseball is expected to continue to rise.