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Gearoid Reidy

Baseball Win Is a Triumph for Japan’s Soft Power

The nation’s lost decades don’t extend to sports. That will help drive Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s narrative as he prepares to host the G7 in Hiroshima.

On top. — On top.
Photographer: Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images

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March 23, 2023, 1:05 AM UTC

The past 30 years in Japan is often painted as a period of stagnation, decline and waning international influence. Sport is one major exception as demonstrated by Shohei Ohtani’s domination of the game that the US invented in the World Baseball Classic.

It also serves as a morale booster for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida who is preparing to host the Group of Seven summit in May.