How Kansai University Reached the Final After a 54-Year Absence

The victory over Waseda—ranked No. 2 in the nation—was Kansai’s third semifinal win in four years, but the first to propel them to the final. The university last won the championship in 1969, when it defeated Waseda in the final under legendary coach Shigeo Nagashima, who later managed the Hiroshima Carp in Japan’s professional league.

According to the Japan College Baseball Federation, Kansai’s path to the final was marked by a late-season surge. The team, coached by current manager Hiroaki Shimizu, finished the regular season with a 38-10 record—good for second place in the Kansai region—before sweeping through the postseason.

Shimizu, who took over in 2022, has overhauled the roster with a mix of experienced players and top prospects. “This team has been built for the moment,” Shimizu told reporters after the win. “We’ve worked for three years to get back here, and now we’re ready to make history.”

Why This Victory Matters: Kansai’s Historic Title Chase

Kansai’s semifinal win was the culmination of a season that saw the university break multiple records. The team set a championship-era mark with 14 home runs in the tournament, led by junior pitcher Riku Takahashi, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after going 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA in the postseason.

For context, Kansai’s last championship appearance was in 1969, when it defeated Waseda in the final. The 2024 semifinal rematch against Waseda—now the defending champions—added emotional weight to the victory. “Playing Waseda again after 54 years felt like closing a chapter,” said senior shortstop Kazuki Morita. “But we’re not here to just remember the past—we’re here to win today.”

A comparison of Kansai’s postseason performances shows a team that has evolved tactically. In 2021, the university lost in the quarterfinals to Hosei University. This year, however, Kansai’s bullpen—led by closer Yuta Fujimoto—held opponents to just one earned run in the final three innings of its three postseason games.

What Happens Next: The Final Against Hosei University

The championship final will take place on June 16 at Osaka Dome (local time: 1:00 PM JST / 2:00 AM UTC), pitting Kansai against Hosei University, which defeated Meiji University 4-2 in its own semifinal on June 13.

Hosei, coached by Toshiaki Endo, enters the final as the tournament’s top-ranked team with a 40-8 regular-season record. The matchup sets up a clash between two of Japan’s most storied baseball programs, with Hosei holding a 12-9 edge in all-time championship meetings.

For Kansai, the challenge will be adapting to Hosei’s aggressive offense, which leads the tournament in batting average (.312) and home runs (18). “Their lineup is dangerous, but we’ve faced pressure before,” said Shimizu. “Our pitching staff has been sharp, and we’ll rely on that to keep them off balance.”

Key stats to watch in the final:

• Kansai’s bullpen ERA: 0.98 in the postseason (best in the tournament)
• Hosei’s power threat: 6 of their 18 HRs have come with runners in scoring position
• Pitching matchup: Hosei’s ace Shunsuke Kinoshita (12-3, 1.98 ERA) vs. Kansai’s starter Riku Takahashi (2-0, 0.86 ERA)

How to Follow the Championship Final

The final will be broadcast live in Japan on NHK BS1 and DAZN, with international coverage available through Japan Baseball’s official English channel. Fans can also follow updates via the tournament’s official Twitter account.

For those unfamiliar with the Japan College Baseball Championship, the tournament is an annual single-elimination event featuring the top 8 university teams in the country. The winner earns the right to represent Japan in the World University Baseball Championship, with the 2024 edition set for South Korea in August.