Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed up in the air after the Pacific League baseball team won the 2025 Japan Series title with a victory in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series against the Central League's Hanshin Tigers at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed up in the air after the Pacific League baseball team won the 2025 Japan Series title with a victory in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series against the Central League's Hanshin Tigers at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Japan Series title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed up in the air after the Pacific League baseball team won the 2025 Japan Series title with a victory in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series against the Central League's Hanshin Tigers at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks players toss manager Hiroki Kokubo in the air after clinching the Pacific League pennant at Kyocera Dome Osaka on Sept. 23, 2024.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks players toss manager Hiroki Kokubo in the air after clinching the Pacific League pennant at Kyocera Dome Osaka on Sept. 23, 2024.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks players toss manager Hiroki Kokubo in the air after clinching the Pacific League pennant at Kyocera Dome Osaka on Sept. 23, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo sheds tears after losing to Spain in a Paris Olympics men's football quarterfinal match at Lyon Stadium in Lyon, France, on Aug. 2, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (green) reacts after conceding a goal in the second half of a Paris Olympics men's football quarterfinal match against Spain at Lyon Stadium in Lyon, France, on Aug. 2, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (L) reacts after conceding a goal in the first half of a Paris Olympics men's football quarterfinal match against Spain at Lyon Stadium in Lyon, France, on Aug. 2, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo makes a save in the second half of a Paris Olympics men's football Group D match against Israel on July 30, 2024, at La Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes, France.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (L) makes a save in the second half of a Paris Olympics men's football Group D match against Israel on July 30, 2024, at La Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes, France.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo makes a save in the first half of a Paris Olympics men's football Group D match against Israel on July 30, 2024, at La Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes, France.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (top) celebrates after the team's 1-0 win over Mali in a Paris Olympic men's football Group D match at Bordeaux Stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on July 27, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (back) makes a save in the second half of a Paris Olympic men's football Group D match against Mali at Bordeaux Stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on July 27, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (C) reacts after a Mali player misses a penalty in the second half of a Paris Olympic men's football Group D match at Bordeaux Stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on July 27, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (C) reacts after a Mali player misses a penalty in the second half of a Paris Olympic men's football Group D match at Bordeaux Stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on July 27, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (C) reacts after a Mali player misses a penalty in the second half of a Paris Olympic men's football Group D match at Bordeaux Stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on July 27, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (C) reacts after a Mali player misses a penalty in the second half of a Paris Olympic men's football Group D match at Bordeaux Stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on July 27, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (C) makes a save in the second half of a Paris Olympic men's football Group D match against Mali at Bordeaux Stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on July 27, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Football

Paris Olympics: Football

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (R) clears the ball in the first half of a Paris Olympic men's football group D match against Paraguay at Bordeaux Stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on July 24, 2024.

Football: Japan vs. France

Football: Japan vs. France

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo saves a shot in the second half of an international football friendly against France on July 17, 2024, in Toulon, France.

Football: Japan vs. France

Football: Japan vs. France

Japan's goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo concedes a goal to Michael Olise of France in the second half of an international football friendly on July 17, 2024, in Toulon, France.

Football: Japan vs. France

Football: Japan vs. France

Japan's goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo (C) saves a shot in the second half of an international football friendly against France on July 17, 2024, in Toulon, France.

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo saves a penalty in the second half of the under-23 Asian Cup men's football final against Uzbekistan in Doha, Qatar, on May 3, 2024.

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Japan goalkeeper Leo Brian Kokubo saves a penalty in the second half of the under-23 Asian Cup men's football final against Uzbekistan in Doha, Qatar, on May 3, 2024.

(SP)QATAR-DOHA-AFC U23 ASIAN CUP-FINAL

(SP)QATAR-DOHA-AFC U23 ASIAN CUP-FINAL

(240504) -- DOHA, May 4, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Kokubo Leobrian (C) of Japan saves the penalty from Umarali Rakhmonaliev (L) of Uzbekistan during the final match between Japan and Uzbekistan at AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 football tournament in Doha, Qatar, on May 3, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Japan goalkeeper Leo Kokubo makes a save in the first half of extra time of an under-23 Asian Cup men's football quarterfinal match against Qatar on April 25, 2024, in Doha, Qatar.

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Japan goalkeeper Leo Kokubo (far R) concedes a goal in the second half of an under-23 Asian Cup men's football quarterfinal match against Qatar on April 25, 2024, in Doha, Qatar.

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Japan goalkeeper Leo Kokubo concedes a goal in the first half of an under-23 Asian Cup men's football quarterfinal match against Qatar on April 25, 2024, in Doha, Qatar.

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Leo Brian Kokubo of Japan makes a save during the second half of an under-23 Asian Cup men's football group-stage match against China in Doha on April 16, 2024.

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Leo Brian Kokubo (L) of Japan clears the ball during the first half of an under-23 Asian Cup men's football group-stage match against China in Doha on April 16, 2024.

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Football: U-23 Asian Cup

Leo Brian Kokubo (C) of Japan clears the ball during the second half of an under-23 Asian Cup men's football group-stage match against China in Doha on April 16, 2024.

SLBenfica training

SLBenfica training

Seixal, 19/09/2023 - SLBenfica training at Benfica Futebol Campus in anticipation of the match on the 1st round of the 2023/2024 Champions League Group Stage. Anatoliy Trubin, Léo Kokubo

Baseball: Kokubo unveiled as new SoftBank manager

Baseball: Kokubo unveiled as new SoftBank manager

Hiroki Kokubo (L), new manager of pro baseball team SoftBank Hawks, shakes hands with team chairman Sadaharu Oh during a press conference in the southwestern Japanese city of Fukuoka on Oct. 23, 2023.

Baseball: Kokubo unveiled as new SoftBank manager

Baseball: Kokubo unveiled as new SoftBank manager

Hiroki Kokubo poses after being introduced as new manager of pro baseball team SoftBank Hawks during a press conference in the southwestern Japanese city of Fukuoka on Oct. 23, 2023.

#(SP)JIANGSU-WUXI-ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS-MEN'S TEAM SABRE

#(SP)JIANGSU-WUXI-ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS-MEN'S TEAM SABRE

(230620) -- WUXI, June 20, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Yan Yinghui (L) of China competes with Kokubo Mao of Japan during the men's sabre team third place match between China and Japan at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Photo by Huan Yueliang/Xinhua)

Managers of MLB, Samurai Japan visit Shuri Castle

Managers of MLB, Samurai Japan visit Shuri Castle

NAHA, Japan - Major League Baseball All-Stars manager John Farrell (3rd from L), Samurai Japan manger Hiroki Kokubo (3rd from R) and some of their players pose for a photo at Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, on Nov. 19, 2014, on the eve of an exhibition game between Japan and an MLB team.

Samurai Japan bats tepid in warm-up defeat

Samurai Japan bats tepid in warm-up defeat

FUKUOKA, Japan - Samurai Japan manager Hiroki Kokubo meets with reporters following a practice game against a team selected from the rosters of the Pacific League's Softbank Hawks and Nippon Ham Fighters at Yafuoku Dome in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Nov. 10, 2014. Samurai Japan lost 1-0 before opening its five-game series against a team of visiting big leaguers on Nov. 12 in Osaka.

Kokubo gives Otani 1st Samurai Japan call-up

Kokubo gives Otani 1st Samurai Japan call-up

TOKYO, Japan - Hiroki Kokubo, manager of Japan's senior national baseball team, announces 28 players for a November series against visiting major leaguers at a news conference in Tokyo on Oct. 9, 2014. The five-game series, part of Japan's buildup to the 2017 World Baseball Classic, will run from Nov. 12 to 18.

Kokubo gives Otani 1st Samurai Japan call-up

Kokubo gives Otani 1st Samurai Japan call-up

TOKYO, Japan - Hiroki Kokubo, manager of Japan's senior national baseball team, poses with the team's uniforms at a news conference in Tokyo, on Oct. 9, 2014, after announcing 28 players for a November series against visiting major leaguers. The five-game series, part of Japan's buildup to the 2017 World Baseball Classic, will run from Nov. 12 to 18.

Cano, Pujols, Jones, Puig to headline MLB tour in Japan

Cano, Pujols, Jones, Puig to headline MLB tour in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - (from R to L) Hiroki Kokubo, manager of Japan's national baseball team called Samurai Japan, Katsuhiko Kumazaki, commissioner of Nippon Professional Baseball Organization, Jim Small, managing director of MLB Japan, and Yoshimitsu Ohashi, senior managing director of the Yomiuri Shimbun, pose for photos during a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo on Aug. 20, 2014. Small said MLB's all-star outfielders Adam Jones and Yasiel Puig, and infielders Robinson Cano and Albert Pujols will take part in an MLB team to play the Japan national team in a five-game series in November.

Carp ace Maeda among 6 named to Samurai Japan squad

Carp ace Maeda among 6 named to Samurai Japan squad

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on July 17, 2014, in Tokyo shows Japan baseball manager Hiroki Kokubo (C) and the first six members of this year's national team -- (from L) Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto, Rakuten Eagles catcher Motohiro Shima, Orix Buffaloes outfielder Yoshio Itoi, Buffaloes ace Chihiro Kaneko, Hiroshima Carp ace Kenta Maeda and Nippon Ham Fighters outfielder Sho Nakata. The team's big test this autumn will be five games against a team of visiting major leaguers in November.

Carp ace Maeda among 6 named to Samurai Japan squad

Carp ace Maeda among 6 named to Samurai Japan squad

TOKYO, Japan - Japan baseball manager Hiroki Kokubo announces in Tokyo on July 17, 2014, the first six players selected for this year's national team. The team's big test this autumn will be five games against a team of visiting major leaguers in November.

Japan manager Kokubo meets press in Naha

Japan manager Kokubo meets press in Naha

NAHA, Japan - Hiroki Kokubo, manager of the Japanese national baseball team, answers questions from reporters after the inaugural "Samurai Japan summit" in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, on Feb. 10, 2014, to discuss strategies for the squad.

Japanese baseball officials mull strategy for nat'l team

Japanese baseball officials mull strategy for nat'l team

NAHA, Japan - Japanese baseball officials meet in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 10, 2014, for an inaugural "Samurai Japan summit" to discuss strategy for the national team, including manager Hiroki Kokubo (2nd from L) and Yoshitaka Katori (L), chosen as technical director for the squad.