Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Seiya Suzuki of Japan's national baseball team rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Seiya Suzuki of Japan's national baseball team rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Seiya Suzuki of Japan's national baseball team smiles after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Seiya Suzuki of Japan's national baseball team smiles after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Seiya Suzuki of Japan's national baseball team hits a solo home run in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Seiya Suzuki of Japan's national baseball team hits a solo home run in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Seiya Suzuki of Japan's national baseball team hits a solo home run in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Seiya Suzuki of Japan's national baseball team hits a solo home run in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Seiya Suzuki of Japan's national baseball team hits a solo home run in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Seiya Suzuki of Japan's national baseball team hits a solo home run in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Baseball: Suzuki ahead of WBC

Seiya Suzuki of Japan's national baseball team hits a solo home run in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team enters the field for a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, prior to the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani (C) of Japan's national baseball team celebrates with teammates after beating the Hanshin Tigers in a warm-up game at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, prior to the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani (C) of Japan's national baseball team celebrates with teammates after beating the Hanshin Tigers in a warm-up game at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, prior to the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani (C) of Japan's national baseball team acknowledges fans in the stands after beating the Hanshin Tigers in a warm-up game at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, prior to the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani (2nd from L) of Japan's national baseball team celebrates with teammates after beating the Hanshin Tigers in a warm-up game at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, prior to the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the third inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the third inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the third inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the third inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the third inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the third inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the third inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team reacts after grounding out in the third inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team reacts after grounding out in the third inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team is pictured after grounding out in the third inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team comes out to bat in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team comes out to bat in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team grounds out in the first inning of a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic.

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team plays catch prior to a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team plays catch prior to a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team throws a ball to a fan in the stand prior to a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team prepares for practice prior to a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team prepares for practice prior to a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Baseball: Ohtani ahead of WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan's national baseball team responds to cheering by fans prior to a warm-up game against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 3, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Japan's WBC training

Baseball: Japan's WBC training

Hanshin Tigers slugger Teruaki Sato takes batting practice during the Japanese national baseball team's training camp in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 14, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March.

Baseball: Japan's WBC training

Baseball: Japan's WBC training

Hanshin Tigers infielder Teruaki Sato takes fielding practice during the Japanese national baseball team's training camp in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 14, 2026.

[Breaking News]Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

KOBE, Japan, Jan. 30 Kyodo - The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people. (Kyodo)

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, an avid fan of the Hanshin Tigers pro baseball team, holds a tiger-shaped charm during a campaign rally in Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.