Emperor of Japan to Attend Historic WBC Game Featuring Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani and Team Japan will receive a special honor from Emperor Naruhito during the World Baseball Classic pool play game against Australia.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is in Tokyo for the World Baseball Classic, and on Sunday morning, he and Team Japan will receive a historic honor from the Emperor of Japan. Emperor Naruhito will be in attendance at the Tokyo Dome for the pool play game between Japan and Australia, marking the first time a serving emperor has attended a professional baseball game in over 59 years.

Why it matters

The Emperor's attendance at the WBC game highlights the immense popularity and significance of baseball in Japan, especially with the rise of Japanese superstars like Ohtani playing on the global stage. This event underscores Japan's golden age of baseball and the country's deep cultural connection to the sport.

The details

The last time an Emperor attended a professional baseball game was in 1966, when Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun witnessed an All-Japan team face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a friendly match. Sunday's game will be the third time Emperor Naruhito has attended a WBC game, though he did so previously as the crown prince in 2006 and 2009.

  • Emperor Naruhito will attend the WBC pool play game between Japan and Australia on Sunday, March 9, 2026.
  • The last time an Emperor attended a professional baseball game was in 1966.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A star player for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is representing Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Emperor Naruhito

The current Emperor of Japan who will be attending the WBC game, marking the first time a serving emperor has attended a professional baseball game in over 59 years.

Hirokazu Ibata

The manager of the Japanese national baseball team, who has spoken about the country's success in developing baseball talent and winning international tournaments.

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What they’re saying

“I think from a very young age, Japanese players play this style of baseball. You start from a very young age, you learn at a very young age, and you continue to progress as your life goes on. Those fundamentals, those philosophies, I think, really carry as these players mature, which is probably a big reason for the success for Japan in international tournaments.”

— Hirokazu Ibata, Team Japan Manager (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The Emperor's attendance at the WBC game is a historic event, and it remains to be seen if he will continue to attend professional baseball games in the future as Japan's national team seeks to defend its WBC title.

The takeaway

The Emperor's presence at the WBC game underscores the deep cultural significance of baseball in Japan and the country's pride in its national team and players like Shohei Ohtani, who have achieved global stardom. This event highlights Japan's golden age of baseball and the country's unwavering passion for the sport.