A press conference was held in Taipei to announce the “Taiwan-Japan Baseball International Exchange Game”, which will be held in Taiwan in February 2026, between Taiwanese CPBL teams, the CITIC Brothers/Ajiquan Dragons, and the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks/Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. This match, which connects Japan and Taiwan, as well as NPB and CPBL, will attract a lot of attention from Taiwanese baseball fans and media as a new step in international exchange through baseball.
The press conference was attended by Tatsu Yanagimachi from the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, Yuki Nomura from the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, Junxiu Chen from the Chushin Brothers, and Kaiwei Hayashi from the Ajizen Dragons. Players from each team talked about their expectations and enthusiasm for holding an exchange game in Taiwan, as well as the enthusiasm of baseball fans in Taiwan and Japan.
Yanagimachi commented, “I’ve heard that there is a lot of passion for baseball in Taiwan as well.This is a valuable opportunity for the local fans to see Hawks baseball in person, so I want to play to the best of my ability.” Conveying his strong enthusiasm, Yanagimachi, who is visiting Taiwan for the fourth time, was asked about his impressions of Taiwan and what he would like to eat.He expressed his high expectations for Taiwanese gourmet food, saying, “I have the impression that tapioca is delicious in Taiwan.I want to drink milk tea, and most of all, I want to eat xiao long bao!”
CBO Kenji Jojima sent a video message to the press conference, where he talked about his impressions of passionate Taiwanese baseball fans when he came to Taiwan for away games during his playing days, and how he ate lu ro han, which he had come to love in Taiwan, at a food stall every day during his stay, drawing laughter from the audience.
Yi-xin from Taiwanese Honeys also appeared at the press conference. The cheerleaders from each team pledged to support each other with all their might in order to become a bridge between Taiwanese and Japanese baseball fans. Taiwanese baseball is famous for its enthusiastic cheer fans. In addition to the players, we are also paying attention to the Honeys’ performance in Taiwan.
This exchange game is not just a preseason match, but aims to further develop the baseball culture and deepen the friendly relationship between Taiwan and Japan. For the Hawks, this will be a great opportunity for young players to gain international experience while also showing their presence on the overseas stage.
A special game will be held in Taiwan in February 2026. Please pay attention to the passionate play of the Hawks and the new connections that will be created across borders!
Match schedule
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026 19:00 (20:00 Japan time)
Fukuoka Softbank Hawks vs. Chushin Brothers - Thursday, February 26, 2026 19:00 (20:00 Japan time)
Fukuoka Softbank Hawks vs. Taiwan National Team - Friday, February 27, 2026 15:00 (16:00 Japan time)
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters vs. Taiwan National Team - February 28, 2026 (soil) 15:00 (16:00 Japan time)
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters vs. Ajizen Dragons
- ※All matches are scheduled to be held at Taipei Dome (Taipei City, Taiwan).
