# Japan U-18 baseball national team preparations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japan-u-18-baseball-national-team-preparations
> Updated: 2026-09-09T08:45:31.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 3.

Preparations for the Samurai Japan U-18 representative teams have intensified ahead of the 14th BFA U-18 Baseball Asia Championship in Taipei. 

At the high school level, Yokohama High School appointed Kei Kawakami as captain following the summer Koshien tournament. Both Kawakami and pitcher Tetsusaburo Kobayashi were selected for the U-18 national team. 

On August 29, a send-off match was held at Jingu Stadium between the University Japan and High School Japan teams, with the university side winning 7-1. The event featured new team uniforms under a contract between NPB Enterprise and New Balance, which replaced Mizuno as the supplier. During the match, high school pitcher Shoki Oda, identified as a top prospect for both the NPB draft and Major League Baseball, pitched two innings. Despite allowing six runs, scouts from organizations including the New York Yankees maintained high interest in his talent.

During the ongoing U-18 Asian Championship, Japan has advanced to the super round following a perfect first-stage performance. Coach Atsushi Hirakawa indicated that Oda, a right-handed pitcher capable of throwing 157 km/h, may be utilized as a closer, with the potential to pitch in three consecutive days against South Korea, Taiwan, and in the final, subject to strict pitch count limitations.

Regarding his professional future, Oda is reportedly considering Major League Baseball (MLB) as a career path. Under MLB international amateur free agency rules, he could negotiate directly with teams for potentially higher signing bonuses. While the New York Yankees have shown interest, reports suggest the Los Angeles Dodgers are a leading candidate due to their development system and existing Japanese presence.

## Claims

- The University Japan representative team defeated the High School Japan representative team with a score of 7-1. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Samurai Japan U-18 send-off match took place at Jingu Stadium on August 29. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The High School Japan team is scheduled to compete in the 14th BFA U18 Asia Championship in Taipei, Taiwan, beginning September 7. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- NPB Enterprise has signed a new contract with New Balance to provide uniforms for Samurai Japan. (single source)
- High school pitcher Shoki Oda reached a maximum pitch speed of 156 km/h during the match. (single source)
- New York Yankees international scouting director Mario Garza described Shoki Oda as one of the top high school pitchers in Asia this year. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Shoki Oda draws MLB interest amid U-18 Asian Championship performance

Yokohama High School pitcher Shoki Oda is making waves at the U-18 Asian Championship and considering an MLB career, with the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly showing strong interest.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shoki-oda-draws-mlb-interest-amid-u-18-asian-championship-performance

### 2026-08-29: Samurai Japan U-18 baseball teams hold send-off match

The University Japan baseball team defeated High School Japan 7-1 in a U-18 send-off match featuring new New Balance uniforms and high-profile prospect Shoki Oda.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samurai-japan-u-18-baseball-teams-hold-send-off-match

### 2026-08-26: Yokohama High School names new captain amid U18 national team selections

Yokohama High School names Kei Kawakami as new baseball captain. Key players Koki Oda and Kei Kawakami prepare for the U18 Baseball Asia Championship in Taiwan.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yokohama-high-school-names-new-captain-amid-u18-national-team-selections

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Cite as: Japan U-18 baseball national team preparations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japan-u-18-baseball-national-team-preparations