Pinch hitter Shingo Kawabata delivers the key hit for Yakult in the 12th inning.
Coach Jamie Joseph’s squad trailed 29-0 entering the second half in a match that exposed the team’s weaknesses.
All three teams are looking for better results in 2022 after disappointing seasons this year.
Olympic gold medalist Hashimoto collected the silver medal in the men's all-around event.
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks skipper, who has guided his club to five Japan Series titles since 2015, is not expected to remain in charge in 2022.
A loss to Saudi Arabia exacerbates Samurai Blue’s challenge of qualifying for next year’s tournament in Qatar.
Led by Olympians Yamada and Murakami, Yakult is looking for its first Japan Series championship since 2001.
Sawamura spent two weeks on the COVID-19 injured list before rejoining his team last week.
A 12-match unbeaten streak puts Marinos in contention for the title, moving the club within four points of reigning champion Kawasaki Frontale.
“I always ask what our guests think is the key to success to thrive in Japan and they often invoke things like being open and embracing...
Team Japan had 338 athletes at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and the last time Tokyo hosted the Olympics in 1964 there were a total...
"I feel a great responsibility being appointed captain of the Japanese delegation to the Olympics held in our own nation.”
