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Sunday morning in Japan began with electricity in the air. Shohei Ohtani was set to start Game 7 of the World Series — and by the time Yoshinobu Yamamoto fired the final pitch, Tokyo was alive with celebration.
“I am so proud to be Japanese today,” said taxi driver Seiichiro Okada, who pulled over mid-shift to catch the final outs on his phone. “To see these two legends on the world stage—it’s something special.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers, powered by their Japanese stars, rallied from behind to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5–4 in 11 innings, capturing their second straight World Series championship. Ohtani dazzled both at the plate and on the mound, while Yamamoto earned World Series MVP honors after another commanding performance.
Tokyo Turns Into a Street Party
Across Japan, millions tuned in. At The Hub — a popular Tokyo pub showing the game live — fans in Ohtani No. 17 jerseys erupted when Will Smith’s 11th-inning home run sealed the win. Some spilled into the streets, waving flags and dancing as if Japan itself had claimed the crown.
“I thought it was over when we were trailing, but this comeback was pure magic,” said Hiroshi Hoshii, wiping away tears as he celebrated with friends.
The Dodgers’ dramatic victory capped off a tense series that included an 18-inning marathon and a nail-biting Game 6 win that forced the decisive Game 7. Japanese viewership reflected the drama — with Games 1 and 2 averaging more than 10 million viewers and Sunday’s finale expected to surpass that figure.
National Heroes Beyond Baseball
Ohtani’s celebrity in Japan long ago surpassed the baseball diamond. His face adorns ads for sneakers, cosmetics, and electronics. Fans admire not just his two-way mastery but also his humility — the way he speaks in Japanese during interviews and never forgets his roots.
His family life has also captivated the nation. His wife, former professional basketball player Mamiko, and their dog, Decoy, are frequent media subjects. Their newborn daughter became front-page news the moment Ohtani posted a photo of her tiny feet on Instagram earlier this year.
Still, in this series, Yamamoto took center stage. After throwing a complete-game gem in Game 2, he delivered back-to-back wins in Games 6 and 7 — a heroic effort that earned him the MVP trophy and the admiration of fans worldwide.
Even Japan’s Leaders Were Watching
The excitement reached all the way to Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, who reportedly watched part of a game with U.S. President Donald Trump during a recent meeting.
“The Dodgers are winning,” she told reporters afterward with a smile.
Kowa Minami, a waiter at The Hub, admitted that while he’s supposed to stay neutral for business reasons, it’s hard not to root for the Dodgers.
“To be honest, I like them because they have Japanese players,” he said.
For fans
