Baseball5 in Japan: A game built for tomorrow’s world

As the Baseball5 community celebrates High5 for Baseball5 on 5 May (05.05), we take a look at how the World Baseball Softball Confederation's urban discipline is becoming increasingly popular in Japan.

Samurai Japan Baseball5 coach Mizuki Nakahama sees Baseball5 as a sport built for the future and that his country’s rising Baseball5 culture is a perfect fit for the next generation.

The 28-year-old, who also works at the Giants Academy, the youth development arm of the Yomiuri Giants and Japan’s most prominent professional baseball club, spoke to Full-Count about why the game is gaining ground across the country. Nakahama believes the growing momentum of Baseball5 is no coincidence, as the discipline is fast, accessible and easy to play anywhere.

“I think it’s a sport that matches the society of the future,” he said. "Even kids who aren't good at baseball seem to enjoy Baseball5. The kids really get into it. In that respect, I feel this sport has great potential [to be a tool for people to access Baseball/Softball].

“It’s a sport you can play anywhere, with anyone and that’s why I think it matches the society of the future,” he added.

That spirit was on display during the Baseball5 Friendly Games held over two days in April in Kazo City, Saitama Prefecture. Nakahama took part in the event alongside other instructors and supporters, helping introduce the game to more children and communities.

The former player at Nippon Sport Science University had his introduction to Baseball5 through Miu Tanaka, a player for the Yomiuri Giants women’s team and former member of the Baseball5 team 5STARS.

“Tanaka originally played for the Baseball5 team 5STARS, and after becoming a member of the Japanese national team, she said she wanted to play Baseball5 for the Giants as well,” he said.

Nakahama managed the Giants in the first Baseball5 Japan Championship in 2024, before taking on the role of national team coach at both the second Asian Cup and the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup later that year.

“At first, I couldn’t get used to the feeling of hitting the ball with my hands,” he said. “But as I’ve been practising more, I’m more into it than I am into baseball. Even now, every week, I visit my Baseball5 team, Junk5, and the J. F. Oberlin University Baseball5 Club to practise with them.”

What impressed him most was the speed of the game and the intensity shown on the world stage where Japan - who played in the Asia Youth Cup for the first time in March to qualify for the WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup 2025 - has finished runner's up to Cuba twice, in the inaugural WBSC Baseball5 World Cup in 2022 in Mexico and last year's second edition in Hong Kong, China. .

“The Cuban players have incredible passion and awareness for each ball,” he said. “I think that having fun while playing is an important part of the essence of this sport, but the seriousness of the Cuban players and their rigour towards the game is something I feel through international competitions.”

As Japan continues to refine its approach on the global stage, Nakahama says the challenge lies in finding the right balance.

“Japan has won so far by playing with an enjoyable style, so we need to think about how to balance that,” he said. “I feel there is great potential in Baseball5.”