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Conference Report

Press Conference with 6 Members of 'Samurai Japan's' Top Team

7/17/2014TopTeam

Press Conference with 6 Members of 'Samurai Japan's' Top Team

On the 17th, six members were confirmed a spot on 'Samurai Japan's' Top Team as representatives, and a press conference with those players and Samurai Japan manager Hiroki Kokubo was held in a Tokyo city hotel.

The players selected at this time are: fielder Yoshio Itoi, pitcher Chihiro Kaneko (formerly with Orix Buffaloes), fielder Hayato Sakamoto (Yomiuri Giants), fielder Motohiro Shima (Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles), fielder Sho Nakata (Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters), and pitcher Kenta Maeda (Hiroshima Toyo Carp), six members in all.

Before the interviews, NPB Deputy Director-General and Senior Executive Manager of Samurai Japan Hiromasa Kamo explained. 'Concerning these six players, naturally their performance and experience are highly valued. But in addition, they are considered to be irreplaceable core members for manager Kokubo's concept of 'Focus Only on Winning', who are all expected to raise energy levels during the tournament. So, we have decided to announce these members first at this time.' Then manager Kokubo and the six players took their places on the stage.

Manager Kokubo spoke with conviction about creating a team to win: 'This fall, there will be our first game with the US in 8 years. We have been going after players, starting with camp scouting in February and watching games this season. In previous games with the US, players wore their respective pro team uniforms, but this time, they will be wearing the Japan uniform when competing with the MLB. Our goal is to win at the 2017 WBCs. We may have performed well in previous friendly games, but this game will be more of a true exhibition game. Focusing only on winning, playing a serious game. These six players will be core players of that team, so that's why I chose them.' Kokubo showed that he is looking ahead to the WBC in three years after this fall's game with the US.

Also, the six players had this to say regarding their pride at being selected to represent Japan.

Video of Press Conference (Edited for time)

Yoshio Itoi (player)

'I'm deeply honored to be selected. As part of the process of building a solid team going into the WBC, I will work hard as a core member to be able to push the team forward in all aspects of the game, running, batting and fielding.'

Manager Kokubo

'Hitting champion, and Japan's best fielder in all respects, running, hitting, fielding. A complete player.'

Chihiro Kaneko (player)

'Actually, I didn't think I would be picked. I feel out of place. Since I've been selected, I'd like to pitch in a way that lives up to that. I don't try to get power pitching from myself. I work for a pitching style that is more Japanese and more me.

Manager Kokubo

'Last year's statistics were incredible, but with Masahiro Tanaka around, they didn't stand out. Results good enough for the Sawamura Award. His control is first or second in Japan.'

Motohiro Shima (player)

'In the game against Taiwan last year, there was pressure to play bearing Japan's Hinomaru on our backs. Looking at the World Cup the other day as well, I think there is unimaginable pressure to play as a representative of Japan. I'm going to speak up the loudest and try to bring the team together. We may as well win if we're going to play, and even though it's fun for me, I think the fans watching at home also want to have fun, so I'll do my best not to disappoint them.

Manager Kokubo

'Last year, I named Shima captain of Samurai Japan, the hub. I expect him to be able to bring the team together.

Maeda Kenta (player)

'I feel it's a honor to be back here wearing the uniform of Samurai Japan. I'm still not fully developed as a real power. In the previous WBC, we lost the game that I began, so I'll do what I can to get stronger and play a central role for the team by the next WBC.

Manager Kokubo

'An ace of the baseball world. I think the tops in Japan in all aspects of pitching, control, cut, speed. I want him to pitch to his heart's delight against the major leaguers.

Sakamoto Hayato (player)

'I felt that wearing the uniform as a representative of Japan was heavy last time. (As a representative of Japan,) I felt pressure I've never felt before, so I'm going to work harder and practice more and more so that I don't cave under the pressure.

Manager Kokubo

'Big-sized shortstop. It's tough to be a shortstop this tall. He's built up his position in the Giants, but he can get better and better. I'm looking for him to shoot high after experiencing the Japan-US game.

Sho Nakata (player)

'(Through international games up to this point) I have been able to play baseball with amazing players above me and have felt the weight of the Hinomaru. I don't really think about (the focus on batting cleanup for the Japan team), but I will do my best not to hold back the team.

Manager Kokubo

'He's got the greatest slugging power of all Japanese people. I hope that he puts his experience batting fourth in last year's game against Taiwan to good use against the major leaguers in the fall, showing that Japanese can hit home runs against them.


As for the members besides the six players selected today, they are going to be announced after the end of the regular season.
In November, Samurai Japan will play the MLB All-Stars in a six-game series held as the 'Japan-US Game 2014 (provisional name)', the first in eight years. In addition, they will play against a conglomerate team made of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in a build-up game on Monday, November 10th.

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