Manager Kazuhisa Iguchi unveiled a 28-player Samurai Japan roster on November 7 for the upcoming Luxas Asia Professional Baseball Championship 2026, setting the stage for his managerial debut at the Tokyo Dome. The tournament features players aged 24 and under, or those in their first three professional seasons, alongside up to three permitted over-age selections aged 29 or younger.
Samurai Japan Plays Tokyo Dome Tournament
The tournament runs from November 12 through November 15 at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. Samurai Japan opens group play against Taiwan on November 12, faces Korea on November 13, and meets Australia on November 14. The third-place playoff and the championship final are scheduled for November 15. The event operates under strict age constraints, permitting teams to deploy athletes 24 and under or within their initial three years of club service, supplemented by three roster spots designated for players aged 29 or under.
Selected Pitchers And Catchers
The pitching staff includes Seiya Yoshida (Chunichi), Kazuyuki Takemaru (Giants), Yutaro Ishida (DeNA), Natsuki Takeuchi (Seibu), Hiroto Takahashi (Chunichi), Yuto Kanemaru (Chunichi), Taichi Taka (Hiroshima), Gota Suzuki (SoftBank), Kengo Matsumoto (Yakult), Ru Kutani (Rakuten), Shunya Morita (Giants), Hibiki Shinohara (Seibu), and Shunsuke Nakamori (Lotte). Behind the plate, the catching duties fall to Shion Matsuo (DeNA), Daiga Kojima (Seibu), and Yuya Shindo (Nippon-Ham).
Infielders And Outfielders Named To Squad
The infield features Rui Munetaka (Rakuten), Seiya Watanabe (Seibu), Tai Sasaki (Hiroshima), Yudai Shoji (SoftBank), Tomoya Masaki (SoftBank), Koki Yamaguchi (Lotte), and Shu Yamagata (Nippon-Ham). The outfield contingent consists of Ryuki Watarai (DeNA), Shisei Nishikawa (Lotte), Shunsuke Sasaki (Giants), Shinya Hasegawa (Seibu), and Konosuke Tatsumi (Hiroshima).
Kazuhisa Iguchi Aims for World Top
Kazuhisa Iguchi takes the helm as manager for the tournament, stepping into the role for his initial games in charge of the national setup. During the press conference held at a Tokyo hotel, Iguchi outlined the program’s standard of excellence. “It is a team that must continue to stand at the top,” Iguchi said. “We want to aim for the top of the world once again.”
Players React to National Team Selection
Lotte infielder Koki Yamaguchi reflected on his selection as an over-age player for the squad. “I am honored to be selected,” Yamaguchi said. “Having never experienced being chosen for such a national team since I was small, I am glad to experience it on the professional stage. I hope to produce solid results as an over-age selection and work hard to show good things with my batting. I am happy to play baseball with manager Iguchi again.”
Lotte pitcher Shunsuke Nakamori expressed similar sentiment regarding his inclusion. “I am very happy to be able to carry the Hinomaru flag for the first time, including my student days, and I am grateful for being selected and want to play with all my might,” Nakamori said.
Lotte outfielder Shisei Nishikawa emphasized his immediate on-field goals. “It is truly an honor and I am happy,” Nishikawa said. “I want to do my best for Japan so that I can get into games and produce results.”
Rakuten infielder Rui Munetaka highlighted the responsibility of representing his club. “I will play as a member of Samurai Japan representing the Rakuten Eagles, so I will prepare firmly to give everything I currently have,” Munetaka said. “And I will do my best to contribute to the victory.”
Seibu pitcher Natsuki Takeuchi pointed to the developmental aspect of the gathering. “It is a tournament centered on young players, but I will do my best to exert my power and contribute to the team,” Takeuchi said. “It is also a valuable opportunity to interact with players from other clubs, so I want to actively converse and exchange information.”
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