Team Report
August 30, 2025
On August 30th, the third day of the last minute training camp for the Samurai Japan U-18 Japan national team, who will be competing in the “Ruxes Presents 32nd WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup” (September 5th to 14th in Okinawa Prefecture), was held at Nishizaki Stadium in Itoman City, one of the venues.
On this day, starting at 9am, a baseball class was held by NPB Enterprises Inc. and Itoman City (cooperation: Japan High School Baseball Federation, a public interest incorporated foundation, and the Japan Baseball Organization, a general incorporated association) for preschool children in Itoman City and junior high school students in the prefecture.
This event was held to commemorate the U-18 World Cup held in Okinawa Prefecture as an opportunity for local children to interact with Japanese national team players. The event was held with the aim of allowing children who have already started playing baseball and children who have no experience to participate.
The four students were chosen to be lecturers in the classroom for preschoolers: Nakano Daitora (Osaka Toin), Sakamoto Shintaro (Kanto Daiichi), Daiei Toshiya (Gakuho Ishikawa), and Okabe Hiyoma (Tsuruga Keihi). In the parent-child dance, which is a warm-hearted exercise, Nakano played the role of a cheerful demonstrator, and in the ball play, parent-child catch-up, and BT ball (※), he enjoyed the children, and smiles were thrilled with the players and the participating players.
*Baseball-type sports play that simplifies the rules of Baseball and Teeball sports
All players except for the four players interacted with junior high school students by knocking and teeing together. At the closing ceremony, captain Abe Hata (Yokohama) spoke of his gratitude and aspirations for the tournament, and applauded him, and all participants took commemorative photos at the end. It was a peaceful time throughout.
Although the practice session was interrupted twice due to heavy rain, the train quickly stopped and resumed with the efficient maintenance of the baseball team members at Shuri Higashi High School. Hayase Saku (Kamimura Gakuen), who joined the team the day before due to delays in obtaining a passport to ensure competing qualification (confirming nationality and date of birth), came in as a batting pitcher for the seat. Nakano, who had both a pitcher and an outfielder the day before, showed off his strong batting performance, carrying balls to the left stands.
In the evening, a press conference and a team-up ceremony were held. The press conference was held by Takara Kaoru, chairman of the Japan High School Baseball Federation, a public interest incorporated foundation, who serves as the leader of the Samurai Japan U-18 representative, and coach Ogura Zenyu, Abe, Nakano, Okabe, and Sueyoshi.
Chairman Ho said, “I won a gold medal in Taiwan two years ago, but since both the coaching team and players are on the custody of the players, I want to compete with the spirit of a challenger,” and expressed his hopes, “I hope that the greatness of Japanese high school baseball will be conveyed to the world.” Coach Ogura also set a goal for a consecutive championship, and said, “This is a sample of baseball, including manners and the desire to never give up until the end. I would like to play baseball that will please everyone in Okinawa who loves baseball.”
The players who serve as captains and vice captains, “I’m used to being captains at elementary, junior high and high school, so I want to fight with awareness and responsibility,” Abe said, “In order to win, I want to build a team with captain Abe, vice captain myself and Okabe,” Nakano said, “I’m captain (just like the two), so I’d like to keep an eye on the people around me and talk to them about it,” Okabe said, vowing to take the initiative to lead the team.
Sueyoshi, the left-handed pitcher who contributed to Okinawa Shogaku’s national championship, appealed to local fans, saying, “I want all of the players with high abilities to watch baseball.”
On the 31st, he will face the Samurai Japan University representative at 6pm at Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha as a “Samurai Japan U-18 send-off match.” When asked about his aspirations, manager Ogura asked the players to be proactive, saying, “How much can you put your strength into the high-level opponent? I hope they will play with the boldness without fear of failure, so that they can lead to the tournament.” Abe also replied, “I would like to play with gratitude for visiting Okinawa for the U-18 national team. I would like to take on opponents who have greater experience and strength than us, and fight in a muddy manner.”
In the Japan-US university baseball tournament held in July, he won all five games and won the championship, and will continue to stand up to all his might against an overwhelmingly strong opponent and absorb various things.
Player comments
Nakano Daitora (Osaka Toin)
“I started playing baseball (after finishing baseball classes) due to the influence of my older brother and sister, so I thought it was important to learn how much fun it was to play baseball. When I was a child, the most important thing was to love baseball. I hope that the children will first like me, and then learn about their skills and emotions. I hope that at the U-18 World Cup, they will be able to see them fighting with all their might.”
Sueki Ryojo (Okinawa Shogaku)
“I thought so many people gathered for us (after the baseball class) and we were cheering for them. I told the children what’s important when playing catches and how straights are important when putting together pitches. I also went to baseball classes when I was in elementary school, so I hope that I could have a positive impact this time. I want them to see them support their teams and pitch them to lead them to victory.”
Hayase Saku (Kamimura Gakuen)
“Imaoka (also from Kamimura Gakuen) was a Little Senior Japanese national team, so I had a passport, but I wasn’t like that, so I joined the team late. After losing in the Koshien first match, I was told that I might join the national team, and it was announced that I had been selected for two or three days later. I was honestly happy, and I changed my mindset and then switched my mindset to the world’s best. I would like to gradually improve my form. I want to contribute to the victory without losing in terms of my spirit.”
Samurai Japan U-18 send-off match High school Japan national team vs. University Japan national team
Samurai Japan U-18 send-off match High School Japan National Team vs Okinawa Prefecture High School Selection
Special site: Tickets for participating athletes
Match schedule
Sunday, August 31, 2025, 18:00 High School Japan Team – University Japan Team
Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 18:00 High School Japan Representative – Okinawa Prefecture High School Selection
Venue
Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha
Participating teams
Selected by Japan High School Team, Japan University Team, Okinawa Prefectural High School
Luxury presents 32nd WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup
Special site: Tickets for participating athletes
Tournament period
September 5th to September 14th, 2025
Opening Round (Group A)
Friday, September 5th, 18:30 Italy – Japan
Saturday, September 6th, 18:30 Korea – Japan
Sunday, September 7th, 14:00 Japan – Cuba
Monday, September 8th, 18:30 South Africa – Japan
Tuesday, September 9th, 18:30 Japan – Puerto Rico
Super Round
September 11th – September 13th
3rd place match/final
September 14th
Venue
Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha, Itoman City Nishizaki Stadium
Countries and regions to participate
Group A
Japan, Korea, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Italy, South Africa
Group B
Chinese Taipei, USA, Panama, Australia, Germany, China
