Major-League Dreams: Japanese High Schoolers Pioneer a New Path to the MLB

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Chief Baseball Officer Jōjima Kenji speaks to reporters after the team secured the rights to negotiate with Stanford University infielder Sasaki Rintarō in the 2025 NPB draft, at a hotel in Tokyo on October 23, 2025. (© Pool photo/Jiji)

Ohtani Shōhei (center) answers questions at a press conference announcing his signing with the Hokkaidō Nippon-Ham Fighters in December 2012. (© Jiji)

Chicago White Sox outfielder Nishida Rikuu gets a hit against the Minnesota Twins in his major-league debut in May 2026. (© AFP/Jiji)

Japanese high school students take part in a college baseball tryout held in the United States in September 2025. (© Athlete Brand Japan)