CNN
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When Kodai Senga takes the mound at Citifield, he’s not just pitching for the New York Mets. He is part of a wave of rising Japanese talent breathing new life into American entertainment and millions of new eye-catching Japanese talent on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
In an interview with CNN’s Jim Sciutto, the three-time NPB All-Star shared what was like transitioning from Japanese professional baseball to major league baseball.
A new generation of talent and fans
“Of course, there are differences when playing baseball in a different culture, so I think it’s really important to think about it and study hard so that you can use the good parts of baseball here (US) and that baseball (Japan) (Japan),” he told Sciutto.
When asked what the most difficult adjustments were regarding the game, Senga said, “Undoubtedly, the ball, the ball is very different.”
The 32-year-old pitcher, known for his powerful fastball, holds a 7-3 record and 74 strikeouts in 77 innings this season alone. His performance has contributed to the Mets’ strong pitching lineup and is currently number one in the National League East.
And despite him heading to the list of injured in Thursday’s hamstring injuries, Senga’s fast adaptation, and his 1.39 ERA this season, is just part of a much bigger story.
This season, 12 Japanese players have appeared on the MLB Opening Day roster. It’s the best since 2012. The list includes not only common names like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but also fresh faces like Roki Sasaki and Shoda Imanaga.
The number of fanbases is also increasing. MLB viewers have skyrocketed on both sides of the Pacific this season. ESPN has increased by 22%, TBS 16%, and Japan’s NHK also increased by 22%. The March Tokyo Series (squared by the Cubs and Dodgers) coordinated over 25 million viewers to set a new record for MLB games broadcast in Japan.
The “Otani Effect” has been well documented in Los Angeles for the past few years.
Japanese fans often gather at Dodger Stadium to get a chance to see the field, and embark on a Japanese tour, even feeling behind the scenes of the game.
There is even a new wave of tourism that travels directly to Japan itself.
According to the New York Times, the Japan tour, which brings fans from the US to Japan to Japan for NPB games, saw a 27% increase in social media followers and a 31% increase in newsletter subscriptions.
When asked whether this influx of top talent into the US could hurt Japanese leagues, Senga pointed out how positive the change was in fact.
“We should not just stay like us because things are changing, and we should create a system where the next generation can participate even if new players leave,” Senga said.
It’s not just the players – the Mets themselves have a long history with Japan. They played overseas in their first MLB opening day game at Tokyo Dome in 2000. In 1996 they became the first team to play in both Japan and Mexico.
When asked if he wanted to finish his career in the US, the MLB All-Star said, “If I can get a long-term contract, that’s what I want.”
In theory, baseball could be the same game – three strikes and you’re out, but the cultural nuances are enormous. However, Senga points out that this experience is actually more complementary than contradictory.
“When excitement comes here (in the US), fans can say they’re here to cheer loudly and enjoy the game.
MLB’s international players counted at 265 in 18 countries, and the increase in share coming from Japan has made the league poised to raise the level of competition among international players.
But for Senga, that doesn’t affect his play. When asked if there would be pressure on another Japanese player like Otani to rise, Senga said:
And what about living in New York?
“In New York, it’s pretty easy,” Senga says when asked about finding good Japanese food.
Favorite place? “I have a few.”
