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World Baseball Classic: S. Korea vs. Japan

HANAMAKI, Japan, March 7 Kyodo - People cheer for Japan pitcher Yusei Kikuchi in Hanamaki, his hometown in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, at a public viewing site for a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against South Korea on March 7, 2026. (Kyodo)

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Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

HANAMAKI, Japan, Dec. 29 Kyodo - Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi gives an interview at the King of the Hill indoor baseball training gym built by him near his alma mater Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. Kikuchi plans to play for Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic team. (Kyodo)

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[Breaking News]Baseball facility built by major leaguer Kikuchi

HANAMAKI, Japan, Nov. 19 Kyodo - Japanese major league pitcher and Hanamaki Higashi High School alumni Yusei Kikuchi throws in an indoor baseball facility built by him in Hanamaki in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Iwate on Nov. 17, 2024. Called King of the Hill, the facility houses a weight training area and a sauna room as well as batting and pitching areas, with a baseball clinic for children scheduled to open in December. (Kyodo)

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SL Milky Way runs in Iwate Pref.

HANAMAKI, Japan - The steam locomotive "SL Ginga (SL Milky Way)" passes through the city of Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on April 12, 2014, as East Japan Railway Co. started operating the train between Hanamaki and Kamaishi Stations on the Kamaishi Line as part of efforts to help restoration in areas affected by the 2011 disastrous quake and tsunami. The train, named after "Gingatetsudo no Yoru (Night On The Milky Way Train)" written by Kenji Miyazawa, runs on weekends and holidays. Miyazawa, the late poet and author of children's literature, was born in Hanamaki in 1896.

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SL Milky Way runs in Iwate Pref.

HANAMAKI, Japan - The steam locomotive "SL Ginga (SL Milky Way)" passes through the city of Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on April 12, 2014, as East Japan Railway Co. started operating the train between Hanamaki and Kamaishi Stations on the Kamaishi Line as part of efforts to help restoration in areas affected by the 2011 disastrous quake and tsunami. The train, named after "Gingatetsudo no Yoru (Night On The Milky Way Train)" written by Kenji Miyazawa, runs on weekends and holidays. Miyazawa, the late poet and author of children's literature, was born in Hanamaki in 1896.

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SL Milky Way runs in Iwate Pref.

HANAMAKI, Japan - The steam locomotive "SL Ginga (SL Milky Way)" passes through the city of Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on April 12, 2014, as East Japan Railway Co. started operating the train between Hanamaki and Kamaishi Stations on the Kamaishi Line as part of efforts to help restoration in areas affected by the 2011 disastrous quake and tsunami. The train, named after "Gingatetsudo no Yoru (Night On The Milky Way Train)" written by Kenji Miyazawa, runs on weekends and holidays. Miyazawa, the late poet and author of children's literature, was born in Hanamaki in 1896.

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SL Milky Way runs in Iwate Pref.

HANAMAKI,Japan - The steam locomotive "SL Ginga (SL Milky Way)" departs from JR Hanamaki Station in Iwate Prefecture, northern Japan, on April 12, 2014, as East Japan Railway Co. started operating the train between Hanamaki and Kamaishi Stations on the Kamaishi Line as part of efforts to help restoration in areas affected by the 2011 disastrous quake and tsunami. The train, named after "Gingatetsudo no Yoru (Night On The Milky Way Train)" written by Kenji Miyazawa, runs on weekends and holidays. Miyazawa, the late poet and author of children's literature, was born in Hanamaki in 1896.

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Plane skids on runway

HANAMAKI, Japan - An aircraft operated by J-Air Corp., a Japan Airlines Co. group firm, is towed from the grass verge at Hanamaki Airport in Iwate Prefecture on Dec. 26, 2012, after it skidded off the runway and finished up in the grass verge shortly after landing the previous day.

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High school flamethrower Otani

HANAMAKI, Japan - Hanamaki Higashi High School pitcher Shohei Otani (L) speaks during a press conference in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 21, 2012. Otani, an 18-year-old armed with a fastball clocked at 160 kilometers per hour, will become the first potential top draft pick to make the direct jump from a Japanese high school to the major leagues after the right-hander announced his decision to play in the United States.

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High school flamethrower Otani

HANAMAKI, Japan - Hanamaki Higashi High School pitcher Shohei Otani speaks during a press conference in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 21, 2012. Otani, an 18-year-old armed with a fastball clocked at 160 kilometers per hour, will become the first potential top draft pick to make the direct jump from a Japanese high school to the major leagues after the right-hander announced his decision to play in the United States.

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High school flamethrower Otani

HANAMAKI, Japan - Hanamaki Higashi High School pitcher Shohei Otani speaks during a press conference in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 21, 2012. Otani, an 18-year-old armed with a fastball clocked at 160 kilometers per hour, will become the first potential top draft pick to make the direct jump from a Japanese high school to the major leagues after the right-hander announced his decision to play in the United States.

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High school flamethrower Otani

HANAMAKI, Japan - Hanamaki Higashi High School pitcher Shohei Otani speaks during a press conference in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 21, 2012. Otani, an 18-year-old armed with a fastball clocked at 160 kilometers per hour, will become the first potential top draft pick to make the direct jump from a Japanese high school to the major leagues after the right-hander announced his decision to play in the United States.

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'Night Train to the Stars' on paddy field

HANAMAKI, Japan - Images of a locomotive and stars created with rice varieties having different colors are shown in a paddy field in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Aug. 16, 2011, along with a message of encouragement for the prefecture still suffering from damage caused by the March quake-tsunami disaster. Hanamaki is the birthplace of reputed Japanese poet and children's author Kenji Miyazawa, known for such pieces as the children's story, ''Ginga Tetsudo no Yoru''(Night Train to the Stars). The paddy image can be viewed in its finest colors through late September, according to local citizens.

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Lions Kikuchi attends high school commencement

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie Yusei Kikuchi (front, C) poses for photographs with teammates of Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, at the commencement ceremony on March 6, 2010, as he graduates from the school. Kikuchi, the club's draft No.1 pick, who had been taking part in the club's spring training until the previous day, is set to return to training on March 7.

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Lions Kikuchi attends high school commencement

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie Yusei Kikuchi (front, C) poses for photographs with teammates of Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, at the commencement ceremony on March 6, 2010, as he graduates from the school. Kikuchi, the club's draft No.1 pick, who had been taking part in the club's spring training until the previous day, is set to return to training on March 7.

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Lions Kikuchi attends high school commencement

HANAMAKI, Japan - As a representative of the graduates, Seibu Lions rookie Yusei Kikuchi (L) hands Junzo Odashima, principal of Hanamaki Higashi High School, a listing of commemorative gifts from the graduates at the commencement ceremony at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on March 6, 2010. Kikuchi, the club's draft No.1 pick, who had been taking part in the club's spring training until the previous day, is set to return to training on March 7.

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Lions Kikuchi attends high school commencement

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie Yusei Kikuchi attends a commencement ceremony at Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on March 6, 2010, as he graduates from the school. Kikuchi, the club's draft No.1 pick, who had been taking part in the club's spring training until the previous day, is set to return to training on March 7.

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Rookie pitcher Kikuchi works out despite snow

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie pitcher Yusei Kikuchi stretches during a workout at Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture on Jan. 3, 2010.

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Kikuchi's 'fast ball' hits photographer

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie pitcher Yusei Kikuchi reacts after a snowball he threw at the request of the press hit a photographer at Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture on Jan. 3, 2010.

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Rookie pitcher Kikuchi works out despite snow

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie pitcher Yusei Kikuchi stretches during a workout at Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture on Jan. 3, 2010.

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Kikuchi picked by Seibu

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a promising left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, celebrates with his teammates at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2009, after being taken by the Seibu Lions as their first-round choice in the draft the same day.

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Kikuchi picked by Seibu

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a promising left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, poses for photographers at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2009 after being taken by the Seibu Lions as their first-round choice in the draft.

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Seibu wins negotiating rights for Kikuchi

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a promising left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, is all smiles during a press conference at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2009. The Seibu Lions acquired the rights to negotiate a contract with the fast-throwing 18-year-old in the Japanese baseball draft the same day.

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Kikuchi picked by Seibu

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, the Seibu Lions' No. 1 draft pick, is all smiles as he tries on a Lions cap at his Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2009.

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Kikuchi picked by Seibu

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a promising left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, celebrates with his teammates at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2009, after being taken by the Seibu Lions as their first-round choice in the draft the same day.

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Seibu wins negotiating rights for Kikuchi

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a promising left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, poses for photographers by forming the shape of an L with his hand after being taken by the Seibu Lions as their first-round choice in the draft at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2009.

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Seibu wins negotiating rights for Kikuchi

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a promising left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, is all smiles during a press conference at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2009. The Seibu Lions acquired the rights to negotiate a contract with the fast-throwing 18-year-old in the Japanese baseball draft the same day.

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Japan lefty Kikuchi braces for draft

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, jogs past the scoreboard of his school's ballpark with signs that read ''Play hard, always'' and ''bonds'' in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 28, 2009.

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Japan lefty Kikuchi braces for draft

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, speaks to reporters at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 28, 2009. Kikuchi, who threw the fastest pitch for a high-school lefty, braced for the draft the following day where a number of professional teams are likely to name him as their first-round choice.

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Japan lefty Kikuchi braces for draft

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, stretches during a workout at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 28, 2009. Kikuchi, who threw the fastest pitch for a high-school lefty, braced for the draft the following day where a number of professional teams are likely to name him as their first-round choice.

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Japan lefty Kikuchi braces for draft

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, speaks to reporters at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 28, 2009. Kikuchi, who threw the fastest pitch for a high-school lefty, braced for the draft the following day where a number of professional teams are likely to name him as their first-round choice.

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Highly touted lefty Kikuchi opts for Japan over U.S.

HANAMAKI, Japan - Hanamaki Higashi High School left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (R) speaks during a press conference at the school in Iwate Prefecture on Oct. 25, 2009, announcing his decision to play in Japan next year after recent interviews with all 12 domestic and eight major league clubs.

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Highly touted lefty Kikuchi opts for Japan over U.S.

HANAMAKI, Japan - Hanamaki Higashi High School left-hander Yusei Kikuchi speaks during a press conference at the school in Iwate Prefecture on Oct. 25, 2009, announcing his decision to play in Japan next year after recent interviews with all 12 domestic and eight major league clubs. +

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Highly touted lefty Kikuchi opts for Japan over U.S.

HANAMAKI, Japan - Hanamaki Higashi High School left-hander Yusei Kikuchi sheds tears during a press conference at the school in Iwate Prefecture on Oct. 25, 2009 in announcing his decision to play in Japan next year after recent interviews with all 12 domestic and eight major league clubs.

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Highly touted lefty Kikuchi opts for Japan over U.S.

HANAMAKI, Japan - Hanamaki Higashi High School left-hander Yusei Kikuchi speaks during a press conference at the school in Iwate Prefecture on Oct. 25, 2009, announcing his decision to play in Japan next year after recent interviews with all 12 domestic and eight major league clubs.

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(4)Shinkansen service extended to Aomori Pref.

HANAMAKI, Japan - Bullet-train No. 4 Hayate bound for Tokyo leaves JR Hachinohe Station in the city of Hachinohe, Aomori prefecture, on Dec. 1 as the new northern extension of the Tohoku Shinkansen line opened for service, enabling passengers to travel between Tokyo and Aomori prefectures in less than three hours.

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High school flamethrower Otani

HANAMAKI, Japan - Hanamaki Higashi High School pitcher Shohei Otani (L) speaks during a press conference in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 21, 2012. Otani, an 18-year-old armed with a fastball clocked at 160 kilometers per hour, will become the first potential top draft pick to make the direct jump from a Japanese high school to the major leagues after the right-hander announced his decision to play in the United States. (Kyodo)

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Rookie pitcher Kikuchi works out despite snow

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie pitcher Yusei Kikuchi stretches during a workout at Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture on Jan. 3, 2010. (Kyodo)

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Rookie pitcher Kikuchi works out despite snow

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie pitcher Yusei Kikuchi stretches during a workout at Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture on Jan. 3, 2010. (Kyodo)

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'Night Train to the Stars' on paddy field

HANAMAKI, Japan - Images of a locomotive and stars created with rice varieties having different colors are shown in a paddy field in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Aug. 16, 2011, along with a message of encouragement for the prefecture still suffering from damage caused by the March quake-tsunami disaster. Hanamaki is the birthplace of reputed Japanese poet and children's author Kenji Miyazawa, known for such pieces as the children's story, ''Ginga Tetsudo no Yoru''(Night Train to the Stars). The paddy image can be viewed in its finest colors through late September, according to local citizens. (Kyodo)

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Lions Kikuchi attends high school commencement

HANAMAKI, Japan - As a representative of the graduates, Seibu Lions rookie Yusei Kikuchi (L) hands Junzo Odashima, principal of Hanamaki Higashi High School, a listing of commemorative gifts from the graduates at the commencement ceremony at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on March 6, 2010. Kikuchi, the club's draft No.1 pick, who had been taking part in the club's spring training until the previous day, is set to return to training on March 7. (Kyodo)

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Lions Kikuchi attends high school commencement

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie Yusei Kikuchi (front, C) poses for photographs with teammates of Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, at the commencement ceremony on March 6, 2010, as he graduates from the school. Kikuchi, the club's draft No.1 pick, who had been taking part in the club's spring training until the previous day, is set to return to training on March 7. (Kyodo)

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Lions Kikuchi attends high school commencement

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie Yusei Kikuchi (front, C) poses for photographs with teammates of Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, at the commencement ceremony on March 6, 2010, as he graduates from the school. Kikuchi, the club's draft No.1 pick, who had been taking part in the club's spring training until the previous day, is set to return to training on March 7. (Kyodo)

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Lions Kikuchi attends high school commencement

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie Yusei Kikuchi attends a commencement ceremony at Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on March 6, 2010, as he graduates from the school. Kikuchi, the club's draft No.1 pick, who had been taking part in the club's spring training until the previous day, is set to return to training on March 7. (Kyodo)

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Kikuchi's 'fast ball' hits photographer

HANAMAKI, Japan - Seibu Lions rookie pitcher Yusei Kikuchi reacts after a snowball he threw at the request of the press hit a photographer at Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture on Jan. 3, 2010. (Kyodo)

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Baseball: Major league-bound pitcher Yusei Kikuchi

File photo in October 2009 shows left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi attending a press conference in Hanamaki, Japan, after being named by the Seibu Lions as their first-round draft pick. The Lions posted Kikuchi for major league clubs after the 2018 season. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Kikuchi picked by Seibu

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a promising left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, poses for photographers at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2009 after being taken by the Seibu Lions as their first-round choice in the draft. (Kyodo)

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Kikuchi picked by Seibu

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a promising left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, celebrates with his teammates at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2009, after being taken by the Seibu Lions as their first-round choice in the draft the same day. (Kyodo)

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Kikuchi picked by Seibu

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, a promising left-handed pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School, celebrates with his teammates at the school in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2009, after being taken by the Seibu Lions as their first-round choice in the draft the same day. (Kyodo)

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Kikuchi picked by Seibu

HANAMAKI, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, the Seibu Lions' No. 1 draft pick, is all smiles as he tries on a Lions cap at his Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2009. (Kyodo)