Japanese Players in Major League Baseball: The Ohtani Effect

Shohei Ohtani and a generation of Japanese stars have changed how fans in Japan follow Major League Baseball, and how travelers experience the sport.

Published October 26, 2026 at 12:11 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Shohei Ohtani has made Major League Baseball a daily habit for fans in Japan. He has won four unanimous MVP awards, helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2024 and 2025, and drew sold-out crowds to the 2025 Tokyo Series. Japanese fans now watch games live, travel to Los Angeles, and follow a growing list of Japanese players across the league.

Baseball is one of the most beloved sports in Japan, and for decades fans have followed their stars across the Pacific. What is different now is the scale. Ohtani, a rare two-way player who both hits and pitches, has turned late-night and early-morning broadcasts into shared national events, and the Dodgers have added Japanese-language tours and merchandise. This guide explains how Japanese players reached the majors, what the Ohtani effect looks like in practice, and how visitors can join the fun when they travel in either direction.

How Japanese Players Reached the Majors

Japanese players have been in Major League Baseball for more than sixty years. According to Wikipedia's list of MLB players from Japan, Masanori Murakami became the first when he debuted with the San Francisco Giants on September 1, 1964, on loan from the Nankai Hawks. Hideo Nomo followed in 1995 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Ichiro Suzuki debuted with the Seattle Mariners in 2001, winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors that season.

A posting system was created in a 1998 revision of the agreement between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball, or NPB, Japan's top league. It gives a path for Japanese clubs to let a player negotiate with major league teams, and players with enough years of service can also become free agents.

This steady pipeline means many major leaguers from Japan first built their reputations in NPB, which is why watching a game in Japan can feel like a preview of future stars.

Who Is Shohei Ohtani?

Shohei Ohtani is a two-way player, meaning he is both a starting pitcher and a hitter, which is extremely rare at the highest level. According to Wikipedia, he won American League MVP awards in 2021 and 2023 and National League MVP awards in 2024 and 2025, all unanimous, and he is the only player to win multiple MVPs in each league.

In 2024 he became the first player in MLB history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. In 2025 he set a Dodgers single-season home run record with 55 and returned to pitching after elbow surgery. A November 2025 report confirmed that all 30 voters ranked him first for his fourth MVP.

He also led Japan to the 2023 World Baseball Classic title and was named the tournament's most valuable player, a moment many fans in Japan still describe as a highlight of the sport.

The Ohtani Effect at Home in Japan

Ohtani's influence shows up in daily life in Japan. MLB.com reported in October 2024 that a playoff game started by Yoshinobu Yamamoto drew an estimated 12.9 million viewers in Japan, the country's most-watched MLB playoff game, and that the producers of the anime One Piece moved a premiere to make room for the World Series.

The same report quoted a Tokyo sporting goods store manager who said half the store's products were Ohtani related, and noted that Ohtani had the highest-selling jersey in the majors during the 2024 regular season.

Because Los Angeles is 16 hours behind Tokyo, big games often air in the morning, so Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, for example, aired on a Saturday morning in Tokyo. Baseball in Japan therefore mixes with the rhythm of the local day.

Dodgers Fans From Japan Travel to Los Angeles

The effect also travels. ABC7 Los Angeles reported in October 2024 that about 230,000 visitors from Japan had come to Los Angeles up to that point, according to the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, which expected Japan to be the city's fifth-largest overseas market that year. The board's representative estimated that most travelers from Japan attend a Dodgers game, though that was an estimate rather than a published statistic.

The team responded with more Japanese-language tours of Dodger Stadium, and Dodgers chief executive Stan Kasten told MLB.com that Ohtani changed the demographics of the ballpark, with new merchandise, concessions, and sponsors with Japanese connections.

For fans planning a trip, this means American ballparks have become friendlier to visitors from Japan, with more signs, food, and staff who understand the interest.

The 2025 Tokyo Series

In March 2025 Major League Baseball opened its regular season at the Tokyo Dome with the Tokyo Series, in which the Dodgers played the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19. Both games sold out, according to coverage from the Associated Press, and Ohtani homered in the second game.

Japanese players were on both rosters. The Dodgers had Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki, while the Cubs had pitcher Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki. Reports noted that the Dodgers' Japanese players drew the largest share of attention, but the Cubs' pair also had enthusiastic followers.

The series showed that Japan is not only a source of talent but also a showcase market for the sport.

A Wider Group of Japanese Stars

Ohtani is the most famous name, but he is far from alone. Wikipedia describes 74 Japanese-born players who have appeared in at least one MLB game, and its current-roster table lists more than a dozen active players. Rosters change every year with trades, injuries, and contracts, so check a current team page for who is playing where.

Some well known recent names include Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki with the Dodgers, Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki with the Cubs, and others on teams across both leagues. Each has a following in Japan, so a game involving them draws extra interest.

For visitors who like baseball, following these players is a fun way to learn about Japanese regional hometowns and teams, since many came through NPB clubs in cities across the country.

Watching Baseball as a Visitor in Japan

Travelers do not need to cross the Pacific to enjoy baseball. NPB games at ballparks in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and other cities are lively, with organized cheering sections, team songs, and snacks sold in the stands. Tickets can often be bought online or at the stadium, though popular games sell out, so check each team's official page.

If you are in Tokyo, the Tokyo Dome area is a convenient base for seeing a game and exploring nearby shops and cafes. Even a casual visit offers a glimpse of the energy that surrounds the sport.

Many visitors also enjoy trying local baseball snacks and buying team towels or caps as souvenirs. Note that rules for outside food and drinks vary by stadium, so follow posted guidance.

Wrapping Up: Why It Matters

Ohtani's rise shows how sport can connect two countries. Japanese fans stay up late or wake early to watch, American ballparks welcome visitors from Japan.

For travelers, baseball offers a warm entry point into Japanese culture. Whether you catch a Dodgers game in Los Angeles or an NPB game in Japan, you will find fans who love to share their passion.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Tokyo Info Guide is available on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Shohei Ohtani special?

Ohtani is a two-way player who both pitches and hits at the major league level. He has won four unanimous MVP awards, two in each league, became the first player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season in 2024, and helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2024 and 2025. He also won the 2023 World Baseball Classic MVP award.

Who was the first Japanese player in Major League Baseball?

Masanori Murakami, a pitcher, was the first. He debuted with the San Francisco Giants on September 1, 1964, while on loan from Japan's Nankai Hawks. Hideo Nomo followed in 1995 and Ichiro Suzuki in 2001, and each helped open the door for the many Japanese players who came afterward.

Can visitors watch baseball in Japan?

Yes. Nippon Professional Baseball teams play in cities across Japan, and games feature organized cheering, team songs, and stadium food. Tickets are often available online or at the stadium, though popular matchups sell out. Check each team's official website for schedules, ticket rules, and what you may bring inside.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Watching Baseball in Japan: A Friendly Guide to the Ballpark Experience, Baseball in Japan and Koshien: Japan's Beloved High School Baseball Tournament.