Japanese major leaguers at final stage of spring training

Japanese major leaguers at final stage of spring training

SURPRISE, United States - Kansas City Royals right-hander Yasuhiko Yabuta (R) speaks with manager Trey Hillman (L) and catcher Miguel Olivo (C) after allowing three hits and two runs during a preseason outing against the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Arizona, on Feb. 27. (MLB)

Yabuta at ease with Hillman at the helm

Yabuta at ease with Hillman at the helm

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals' manager Trey Hillman (L) and newly-acquired pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta of Japan shake hands during a press conference in Kansas City on Nov. 29. Yabuta signed a two-year contract with the Royals with an option for 2010.

Yabuta knocked out

Yabuta knocked out

FUKUOKA, Japan - Chiba Lotte Marines starter Yasuhiro Yabuta leaves the mound after yielding four runs in two innings against the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks at Fukuoka Dome on April 2.

Kokubo hits two-run homer

Kokubo hits two-run homer

FUKUOKA, Japan - Fukuoka Daiei Hawks infielder Hiroki Kokubo watches the ball after hitting a two-run homer off Chiba Lotte Marines starter Yasuhiro Yabuta in the bottom of first inning at Fukuoka Dome on April 2.

Kokubo hits two-run homer

Kokubo hits two-run homer

FUKUOKA, Japan - Fukuoka Daiei Hawks infielder Hiroki Kokubo watches the ball after hitting a two-run homer off Chiba Lotte Marines starter Yasuhiro Yabuta in the bottom of first inning at Fukuoka Dome on April 2.

Yabuta inks 2-yr deal with Royals

Yabuta inks 2-yr deal with Royals

NEW YORK, United States - Photo shows right-handed pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta whom the Kansas City Royals signed to a two-year contract with an option for 2010. The reliever has spent his entire 12-year professional career pitching for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Pacific League from 1996 to 2007. (Kyodo)

Yabuta knocked out

Yabuta knocked out

FUKUOKA, Japan - Chiba Lotte Marines starter Yasuhiro Yabuta leaves the mound after yielding four runs in two innings against the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks at Fukuoka Dome on April 2.

Japanese composer wins 1st place in Geneva music competition

Japanese composer wins 1st place in Geneva music competition

Japanese composer Shoichi Yabuta holds flowers after winning first prize in the composition division of the Geneva International Music Competition in the Swiss city on Nov. 8, 2015. The Geneva competition began in 1939 and musicians also compete in voice, percussion, violin, piano and other divisions of classical music. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese composer wins 1st place in Geneva music competition

Japanese composer wins 1st place in Geneva music competition

Japanese composer Shoichi Yabuta holds his certificate after winning first prize in the composition division of the Geneva International Music Competition in the Swiss city on Nov. 8, 2015. In the Geneva competition that began in 1939, musicians also compete in voice, percussion, violin, piano and other divisions of classical music. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese composer wins 1st place in Geneva music competition

Japanese composer wins 1st place in Geneva music competition

Japanese composer Shoichi Yabuta (C) smiles after winning first prize in the composition division of the Geneva International Music Competition in the Swiss city on Nov. 8, 2015. The Geneva competition began in 1939 and musicians also compete in voice, percussion, violin, piano and other divisions of classical music. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Women's group using foreign language skills to boost tourism in Nara

Women's group using foreign language skills to boost tourism in Nara

Photo taken Nov. 24, 2015, shows Mayumi Yabuta (L), a translator and member of the Nararan group of women fluent in foreign languages, giving advice on how to improve hospitality for foreign visitors during a free consultation session in Nara. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese composer wins 1st place in Geneva music contest

Japanese composer wins 1st place in Geneva music contest

Japanese composer Shoichi Yabuta, 32, receives the first prize in the composition division of the Geneva International Music Competition in the Swiss city on Nov. 8, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Yabuta at ease with Hillman at the helm

Yabuta at ease with Hillman at the helm

KANSAS CITY, United States - Kansas City Royals' manager Trey Hillman (L) and newly-acquired pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta of Japan shake hands during a press conference in Kansas City on Nov. 29. Yabuta signed a two-year contract with the Royals with an option for 2010. (Kyodo)

Asia Professional Baseball Championship

Asia Professional Baseball Championship

Kim Ha Son (L) of South Korea hits a solo home run in the fourth inning off Kazuki Yabuta of Japan in an Asia Professional Baseball Championship game at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 16, 2017. Japan won 8-7 in 10 innings. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Baseball: Managers make final all-star picks

Baseball: Managers make final all-star picks

(From L to R) Hiroshima Carp shortstop Kosuke Tanaka, outfielder Yoshihiro Maru, and pitchers Akitake Okada and Kazuki Yabuta pose for a photo at Mazda Stadium in Hiroshima on July 3, 2017, after being added to the Central League All-Star team. The two-game Japanese baseball All-Star series will be played on July 14 at Nagoya Dome and the following day at Chiba's Zozo Marine Stadium. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Hiroshima Carp beat Seibu Lions 5-0

Hiroshima Carp beat Seibu Lions 5-0

Hiroshima Carp's pitcher Kazuki Yabuta poses for photos after grabbing the season's fourth win in a 5-0 victory over Seibu Lions at MetLife Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on May 30, 2017. Yabuta pitched six innings and allowed five hits. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Baseball: Yabuta pitching propels Carp 1 step closer to pennant

Baseball: Yabuta pitching propels Carp 1 step closer to pennant

Hiroshima Carp pitcher Kazuki Yabuta delivers in his team's 5-0 win against the Chunichi Dragons at Mazda Stadium in Hiroshima on Sept. 7, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo