Japanese athletes boost presence in MLB and Bundesliga

Japanese baseball players have historically reached success by first excelling in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) before moving to Major League Baseball (MLB). As of 2026, eight Japanese players—including Shohei Ohtani, Yu Darvish, and Masahiro Tanaka—have been selected for All-Star games in both leagues, following a common path of NPB debut, strong performance, and subsequent posting to MLB. New prospects such as Rintaro Sasaki and Kenny Ishikawa are considering contracts directly with MLB clubs, potentially creating the first Japanese MLB All-Star without NPB experience.

In German football, Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach (BMG) has added midfielder Zenuto Uno and defender Daiki Hashoka, bringing the total number of Japanese players at the club to three. Their arrivals are highlighted as part of a growing "Asian wind" and are supported by an established Japanese network within the club, including former Japan internationals and a dedicated interpreter. The signings underscore the expanding influence of Japanese talent in European leagues.