Joy in Japan for Shohei Ohtani's return

(9 Mar 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tokyo - 9 March 2023
1.Push in on fan in Shohei Ohtani jersey posing for photo
HEADLINE: Joy in Japan for Shohei Ohtani's return
2. Wide of Ohtani’s face on screen
ANNOTATION: Baseball fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani, who hasn't played in his native country since 2017.
3. Various of exterior of Tokyo Dome
ANNOTATION: The 28-year-old is lining up for Japan in the opening World Baseball Classic tournament match against China.
4. Pan of fans in Ohtani jerseys
5.SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shinichi Narita, baseball fan:
“Ohtani is a god. A god. He is a source of comfort for the nation.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tokyo - 8 March 2023
6. Mid of Ohtani
ANNOTATION: Ohtani, who plays club baseball in California, does things modern players don’t do. He’s a throwback who pitches, bats and can play in the field.
7.Wide of Japan team
ANNOTATION: It's those qualities that inspire his home country as it deals with political and economical challenges.
8. Mid of Ohtani
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tokyo - 9 March 2023
9. Pan of fans in jerseys
10. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Ryota Fujimoto, baseball fan:
“Of course I have seen all of his success in baseball on TV. But beyond that, I was really drawn to his attitude towards baseball and his humanity. He also has star quality. As a person he is wonderful, and I like that someone I can respect is succeeding.”
11.Wide of people taking photos with Ohtani advert
ANNOTATION: Similar to tennis player Naomi Osaka, Ohtani is not just a Japanese star but a global marquee name who draws record endorsements.
12. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Keiichiro Shiotsuka, baseball fan
“Ohtani is the treasure of Japan. I don’t know if such a great player like him will ever exist in the future, so I am happy he is in Japan now.”
13. Wide of fans in Ohtani jersey in front of Tokyo Dome

STORYLINE:
Baseball fans in Tokyo shared their excitement on Thursday about Japanese player Shohei Ohtani preparing to play in the World Baseball Classic.

Ohtani is arguably the game's best player anywhere, but in Japan he's more than just a baseball player, he's a hero for many in his native country.

“Ohtani is a god. He is a source of comfort for the nation,” said Shinichi Narita, a bar owner.

His return after a long absence to play in Japan in the World Baseball Classic is reminiscent of the frenzy around Ichiro Suzuki’s final Major League Baseball games four years ago — also at the Tokyo Dome.

Ohtani is reported to earn $20 million annually in endorsements, far more than any major leaguer.

Ohtani has agreed to a $30 million deal with the Angels for the 2023 season.

After that he will be a free agent and his next contract could be the largest ever for a major leaguer.

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