U-18 World Cup MVPs Nagayoshi, Tsuda; ace Yagi to lead Japan at WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup
World No. 1 Japan have presented their roster for the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup 2026, scheduled from 25 April to 3 May in Sincelejo, Colombia.
The roster was announced after a training camp held in December in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, with 49 players from all over the country.
Japan U-23 Men's National Team roster
- Kyogo Agata - IF
- Tsubasa Arimura - IF
- Kanta Aso - P
- Yohei Hoashi - P
- Renori Kido - IF
- Hitto Nagayoshi - IF
- Ruito Ono - OF
- Kaito Shiba - OF
- Rio Takahashi - P
- Yuki Tamiya - IF
- Ryuki Tsuda - OF
- Yuki Ueno - C
- Masaya Yado - OF
- Koki Yagi - P
- Rikuto Yamamoto - IF
- Tomoharu Yoneno - C
Japan earned a silver medal at the inaugural edition of the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup in 2023. Head Coach Kenji Nakamura expressed his determination of winning the title this year. “Surpassing our previous silver medal and winning the world title - with that major goal in mind, we will form a new U-23 Men's National Team under the theme of ‘players who can compete at the world’s top level.’
“I myself competed as a member of the Men’s Senior National Team in three consecutive World Cups (2009, 2013, and 2015)," Nakamura added. "Although 10 years have passed since my last appearance in 2015, the atmosphere and intensity of competing for the world title remain deeply ingrained in me.
"That first hand experience must be utilised. By working closely with our staff and incorporating the latest information, I want to establish a realistic, cutting-edge world-class standard and build an All-Japan team capable of fighting - and winning - at that level.”
The roster features six debutants and 10 players with international experience including two U-18 Men's Softball World Cup MVPs (Nagayoshi and Tsuda), two veterans of the U-23 World Cup silver-medal winning team (Nagayoshi and Yagi), and eight U-18 Men's Softball World Champions (Nagayoshi and Yagi in 2020; Aso, Takahashi, Ueno, Yamamoto, Ono and Tsuda in 2023).
Nagayoshi was outstanding during the WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup 2020, winning the MVP award. Five of Nagayoshi’s seven hits went for extra bases, as he lead the competition in triples (4) and made zero defensive errors. He hit .412 with 10 RBIs and eight runs scored. He also played the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup 2023.
In 2020, Yagi also helped Japan clinch the world title in Palmerston North. going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in four appearances. He also pitched 11 innings in the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup 2023 in four appearances, with no runs allowed and 14 strikeouts.
At the WBSC U-18 Men's Softball World Cup 2023, Tsuda hit .409 with two home runs, eight RBIs and was the tournament leader in runs scored with 11. He was the MVP of the tournament.
Also participating as a selection committee member was Mao Matsuoka, a former national team captain who, like Nakamura, competed in three consecutive World Championships (2009, 2013, 2015) and served as captain of the Men’s Senior National Team in the 2013 and 2015 tournaments.
“Regardless of category - Senior, U-23, or U-18 - it all comes down to how well you prepare for the world," Matsuoka said. "Waiting until you arrive overseas to start adjusting is too late. Preparation must begin at this selection camp, and daily training in Japan must already be geared toward competing with the world’s best.”