Defending champions Japan announce roster for WBSC Premier12

World No. 1 Japan announced the 28-player roster that will defend their title at the WBSC WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS. The roster consists of players under contract with Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) teams.

Before giving him the floor for the roster announcement, Samurai Japan informed the press about the manager's Hirokazu Ibata contract extension. Ibata, who led Japan to a WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup title earlier this season, will lead the team through to the World Baseball Classic 2026.

These are the 28 players that will compete in the III WBSC Premier12:

PITCHERS (13) Taisei Ota (Yomiuri Giants), Chihiro Sumida (Seibu Lions), Hiromi Ito (Nippon Ham Fighters), Hiroto Takahashi (Chunichi Dragons), Shosei Togo (Yomiuri Giants ), Takahisa Hayakawa (Rakuten Eagles), Hiroto Saiki (Hanshin Tigers), Shoma Fujihira (Rakuten Eagles), Shota Suzuki (Chiba Lotte Marines), Tatsuya Shimizu (Chunichi Dragons), Sora Suzuki (Rakuten Eagles), Koki Kitayama (Nippon Ham Fighters), Rikuto Yokoyama (Chiba Lotte Marines).
CATCHERS (3) Yuto Koga (Seibu Lions), Shogo Sakakura (Hiroshima Carp), Toshiya Sato (Chiba Lotte Marines).
INFIELDERS (7) Shugo Maki (Yokohama Baystars), Naoki Yoshikawa (Yomiuri Giants), Sosuke Genda (Seibu Lions), Ryoya Kurihara (Fukuoka Hawks), Kotaro Kurebayashi (Orix Buffaloes), Kazuma Okamoto (Yomiuri Giants), Kaito Kozono (Hiroshima Carp).
OUTFIELDERS (5) Shota Morishita (Hanshin Tigers), Ryota Isobata, Chusei Mannami (Hokkaido Ham Fighters), Sano Keita (Yokohama Baystars), Ryosuke Tatsumi (Rakuten Golden Eagles).

Veteran shortstop Genda and utility Kurihara were part of Japan's gold medal winning team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Genda also participated in the World Baseball Classic 2023 and the Global Baseball Games 2024. Pitchers Ota, Ito, Takahashi and Togo; and infielders Maki and Okamoto helped Japan win the World Baseball Classic 2023. Pitcher Sumida, catchers Koga and Sakamura, infielder Kurebayashi and outfielder Mannami also participated in the Global Baseball Games 2024.

Ten players will make their debut for Samurai Japan, including highly touted prospect Ryota Isobata.

"I count on his speed," commented Ibata. "He can steal bases and I want him to play aggressively.

"When I became Samurai Japan manager, I had the task of guaranteeing a future for our National Team and Japanese baseball. It is what I'm trying to do by selecting young players," commented Ibata.

Ibata's staff includes bench coach Makoto Kaneko, pitching coach Kazuyuki Yoshimi and assistant coaches Yoshinori Murata, Eishin Soyogi and Yoshiyuli Kamei.

The WBSC Premier12 will open in 30 days on November 9, when Group A takes the field in Guadalajara and Tepic, Mexico. The hosts and World No. 2 Mexico will face No. 4 Venezuela, No. 5 USA, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 8 Puerto Rico and No. 10 Panama.

Japan will compete in Group B and debut on November 13, facing No. 15 Australia at the Vantelin Dome Nagoya. Group B includes No. 2 Chinese Taipei, No. 6 Korea, No. 9 Cuba and No. 12 Dominican Republic.

Japan hold the WBSC Premier12 and the Olympic titles and is the defending U-15, U-18 and U-23 World Champion. They will warm up for the Premier12 facing No. 14 Czechia at the Vantelin Dome Nagoya in the RAXUS Samurai Japan Series on November 9 and 10.