Japan now rivals US on field, but still trails in business of baseball
Japan’s baseball stars are aiming to win back-to-back titles in the World Baseball Classic (photos by Kyodo)
TOKYO — The sixth World Baseball Classic began on Thursday, March 5 in Tokyo, setting the ball rolling on a two-week competition that will see sporting giants such as Japan’s Shohei Ohtani turning out for their national teams rather than their usual club sides. The 2026 WBC features 20 teams, divided into four pools. The first round (pool play) is taking place in Tokyo, San Juan, Puert Rico, Miami and Houston, with 8 teams advancing to the quarterfinals in Miami and Houston. Miami is hosting the semifinals and final.