Kodai Senga of the SoftBank Hawks speaks at a press conference in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Dec.... " I received a good evaluation and a figure that brings with it a sense of responsibility," said Senga, who spent most of the preseason rehabbing only to be sidelined for much of the first half of the season by an ankle injury suffered in his April season debut.... Barring serious injury, Senga should be able to amass the service time needed next season to file for international free agenc

SoftBank Hawks ace Kodai Senga pitches against the Lotte Marines in an 11-3 Pacific League loss at Chiba's Zozo Marine Stadium on July 6, 2021.... Senga( 1-1), who hurt his ankle in his April 6 season debut, threw hard but lacked touch and command.... The 28-year-old right-hander was named to Japan's Olympic team on Monday after Yomiuri Giants ace Tomoyuki Sugano pulled out....

18, 2021, at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi in Sendai, northeastern Japan.... The win was his first since he hurt his ankle in his April season debut.... Four relievers finished up as SoftBank's pitchers set a franchise record by throwing 42 consecutive scoreless innings....

UTSUNOMIYA--Female students at all 25 municipal junior high schools in this east Japan city will be able to choose pants instead of skirts as part of their uniforms from the 2022 academic year onward, as gender diversity and other issues prompt reviews of dress codes.... Officials considered the importance of gender-free viewpoints as well as protection from the cold and safety from crime on the way to and from schools.... Since Ichijo and Wakamatsuhara junior high schools in the city gave fem

Leonys Martin of the Lotte Marines hits a three-run home run against the Orix Buffaloes in their Pacific League game at Hotto Motto Field Kobe on Sept.... The game marked the third time the PL lead has changed hands between the teams since Sunday.... Ryo Yoshida( 1-1), Orix's fourth pitcher, let the game slip away in the eighth....

This photo shows a prefectural road bridge where work to install temporary water pipes is underway, in the city of Wakayama on Oct.... In the foreground is the collapsed Musota water pipe bridge.... The Wakayama Municipal Government is considering the possibility that suspension parts corroded and fractured due to the sea breeze and bird droppings, causing a section of the Musota water pipe bridge over the Kinokawa River to come crashing down....