The members of the Japan National Baseball Team, who won the WBC = World Baseball Classic for the third time in three tournaments, visited the Prime Minister's Office on the evening of the 3rd and reported to Prime Minister Kishida that they had become the world's number one.
Coach KURIYAMA Hideki and the players of the Japan National Team visited the Prime Minister's Office around 23:7 p.m. on the <>rd and met with Prime Minister Kishida.
Coach Kuriyama said, "I'm really glad that so many people were happy. I have never seen such a wonderful team, so I hope Prime Minister Kishida will praise me."
In response Japan, Prime Minister Kishida said, "Congratulations on winning the championship, and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the tremendous courage and energy you have given to the whole country. I believe that it is the combination of individual and team strengths that we have achieved such a great achievement."
"Unfortunately, I couldn't see the finals and semifinals in real life because I went to Ukraine, but I saw them on social media later, and I sincerely hope that Japan baseball will continue to develop in the future," he said, presenting a commemorative silver photo frame and a certificate of appreciation.
Prime Minister Kishida also had the WBC gold medal worn around his neck by coach Kuriyama and took a photo with a big smile.
Coach Kuriyama: "I hope that the victory will inspire the children to have dreams"
After the meeting, Kuriyama told reporters, "I am grateful that all of the players who play in the United States, including Darvish and Shohei Otani, came together with the sole intention of 'for the children of the future.' I would be very happy if the victory gave the children dreams of becoming that kind of player."
TOGO Shoyuki: "I was able to play with a tension that I couldn't experience in the season"
When Prime Minister Kishida threw out the first pitch of the first round match against Korea Republic, pitcher TOGO Shoyuki, who played catch beforehand, said, "I am proud that I was able to play in a very exciting environment thanks to the support of many fans both in the United States and Japan in a tense atmosphere that I cannot experience in the season, and I am truly glad that I became the best in the world."