Japanese Phenom Shohei Ohtani Grabs Spotlight as Country's Top Sports Icon
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Japan's love for Shohei Ohtani, their beloved homegrown baseball star, reaches fever pitch as they welcome him back to the Land of the Rising Sun.
"He's a national treasure," a Tokyo local gushed, echoing the sentiments of many across Japan.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' sensation is back in Japan, and the excitement is palpable among the gracious locals. Despite Japan's calm and reserved nature, the passion for baseball's shining star is undeniable.
Ohtani, a three-time MVP, is the pride of Japan, and his presence in the Tokyo Series, where the Dodgers take on the Chicago Cubs to kick off the season, is a cause for celebration.
"You see Shohei's face everywhere in Tokyo," Dodgers' player Tommy Edman told reporters.
Ohtani's infectious enthusiasm is impossible to miss in this bustling city of approximately 14 million people. The ultimate baseball player and globally renowned pitchman, he commands attention wherever he goes.
In addition to earning an annual salary of $70 million on a $700 million contract from the Dodgers (with all but $2 million deferred for each of the 10 years), Ohtani rakes in millions more from endorsements. His marketing empire encompasses cars, tea, food, clothing, shoes, real estate, and more.
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According to Forbes, Ohtani banked a staggering $60 million in advertisements in 2024, placing him far ahead of any other athlete. His fame is only set to grow this year.
For Major League Baseball, what Ohtani is essentially selling is the sport on a worldwide scale, with Japan contributing significantly to this global expansion.
Dodgers caps are prevalent throughout Tokyo, captivating multiple generations who don Dodgers apparel. Most of the gear and merchandise carries Ohtani's name, following his historic 2022 season.
"I think we've managed to paint Japan Dodger blue," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a native of Okinawa.
The massive turnout at Tokyo's Haneda Airport to greet the team had to be shifted to a different terminal due to the overwhelming number of fans. Tickets for an off-day workout were snapped up in just an hour, and getting into the actual games for under $2,000 is next to impossible.
Seats for the Dodgers' game against the Cubs, a bid to defend their world championship, were fetching north of $15,000 each on the secondary market as of writing. This is believed to be the highest price ever for MLB tickets.
Ohtani is unrivaled among Japanese players, and the Dodgers boast three such stars in Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and rookie Roki Sasaki. Japanese players from the Cubs, including left-hander Shota Imanaga and outfielder Seiya Suzuki, will also be in the limelight during the Tokyo Series.
It was Suzuki who took batting practice at the Tokyo Dome with a Samurai sword, but even this display of traditional Japanese martial arts could not rival Ohtani's impact on the nation.
The humble and gracious Ohtani, as always, deflected the overwhelming attention towards his teammates. "I'm sure my teammates are enjoying Japan right now, and I hope they continue to do so," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "I hope that the fans get to see my teammates enjoy Japan."
The Tokyo crowd eagerly awaits the chance to witness Ohtani shine at the Tokyo Dome, where the music, chants, and cheers never waver.
"In one sense, it's just two baseball games," Roberts said. "But in a global sense, it's a significant opportunity for us."
The chance to see Ohtani in action isn't lost on this baseball-obsessed country. The Dodgers have only one fan club outside of North America, and it's in Japan, where numerous watch parties are being held for those unable to secure tickets.
Those Japanese fans rise early in the morning to watch the Dodgers play in North America. Seeing them at a decent hour without sleepy eyes is a dream come true.
Ohtani, though beloved by the Japanese, is not their only favorite. While Japanese fans purchase the most Dodgers tickets outside of North America, baseball fans in 28 other countries also grab their fair share.
Fanatics, MLB's official souvenir arm, reported that Ohtani merchandise accounts for nearly 60% of its total sales. In just one year with the Dodgers after spending his first six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Fanatics said its sales of Ohtani gear in Japan surged 2,000%.
In a recent survey of nearly 13,000 Japanese residents, Ohtani was listed as their most admired athlete from Japan, garnering 63.9% of the votes. Sporting phenom Kaoru Mitoma came in at a distant second with 4.8%.
The journey the Dodgers have embarked upon to perform in Japan is commendable, requiring a massive logistical effort to depart their spring-training facilities in Arizona, halt their season, resume it, and then travel to Japan.
While the undertaking was challenging, the payoff is expected to be enormous as Japan embraces the Dodgers and their homegrown hero, Ohtani.
- The staggering $60 million Ohtani earned from advertisements in 2024, according to Forbes, not only solidifies his status as the highest-earning athlete but also reflects the global significance of his influence on sports, particularly baseball.
- In the Tokyo Series, where the Los Angeles Dodgers competed against the Chicago Cubs, the presence of Shohei Ohtani, a three-time MVP and Japan's pride, added an unprecedented level of excitement and attracted a massive turnout of fans, even causing a shift in the originally planned terminal at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.
- Despite the overwhelming attention he receives, Shohei Ohtani, the globally renowned baseball player and endorser, always deflects the spotlight towards his teammates, expressing his hope that fans get to see his teammates enjoy their time in Japan.