The past 30 years in Japan is often painted as a period of stagnation, decline and waning international influence.
But sport is one major exception as demonstrated by Shohei Ohtani¡¯s domination of the game that the U.S. invented in the World Baseball Classic.
It also serves as a morale booster for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida who is preparing to host the Group of Seven summit in May.
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