Samurai Japan concludes Miyazaki training camp ahead of Asia Championship

The Samurai Japan national baseball team has concluded its training camp in Miyazaki in preparation for the Lagunas Asia Professional Baseball Championship 2026, scheduled to take place from November 12 to 15 at the Tokyo Dome.

Manager Norichika Iguchi expressed satisfaction with the team's progress, noting that the squad is developing a strong sense of unity. Iguchi named DeNA outfielder Takaki Watari as the camp's MVP, praising his ability to bring a positive atmosphere to the group from the first day. The manager emphasized his goal of building a team that can maximize the individual abilities of every player through a balance of power, speed, and data-driven strategy.

During the camp, the coaching staff implemented a “Major League style” training method for batting practice. Instead of the traditional Japanese approach using multiple cages, the team used a single cage to encourage players to observe one another and engage in technical discussions, reducing the reliance on constant coaching to foster self-driven growth.

The team participated in practice matches against Lotte and Hiroshima to refine their lineup and pitching strategies. Samurai Japan is set to begin the championship tournament with an opening match against Taiwan on November 12.