Isami Nomura hit a home run to break a tie in the 11th inning as the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks clinched the Japan Series title with a dramatic win over the Hanshin Tigers in Game 5. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/10/30/baseball/japanese-baseball/hawks-win-japan-series/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #baseball #japanesebaseball #japanseries #fukuokasoftbankhawks #hanshintigers #isaminomura #hirokikokubo #shokimurakami #hotakayamakawa #yukiyanagita

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks made all the right moves against the Hanshin Tigers in Game 4 of the Japan Series to move one win away from the title. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/10/29/baseball/japanese-baseball/japan-series-hawks-tigers/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #baseball #japanesebaseball #japanseries #hanshintigers #fukuokasoftbankhawks #hirokikokubo #hotakayamakawa #ryosukeotsu

Hotaka Yamakawa homered and drove in five runs to help the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks rout the Hanshin Tigers in Game 2 of the Japan Series. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/10/26/baseball/hawks-rout-tigers-even-japan-series/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #baseball #hotakayamakawa #fukuokasoftbankhawks #hanshintigers #japanseries

The Hawks are on the verge of steamrolling toward another Japan Series title if the first two games of this year’s series are any indication. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/10/28/baseball/hawks-japan-series-lead/ #baseball #hotakayamakawa #fukuokasoftbankhawks #yokohamabaystars #japanseries #hirokikokubo

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks have agreed to a deal in principle with Hotaka Yamakawa, a three-time Pacific League home run leader who was suspended for much of the 2023 season by the Seibu Lions after being accused of sexual assault. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/12/14/baseball/japanese-baseball/yamakawa-hawks-sign/?utm_content=buffercf1cf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #baseball #japanesebaseball #fukuokasoftbankhawks #hotakayamakawa

New manager Shinnosuke Abe is hopeful of guiding the Giants back to the Central League summit in his first year on the job. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/10/09/baseball/japanese-baseball/shinnosuke-abe-giants-manager/?utm_content=buffer712bd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #baseball #japanesebaseball #shinnosukeabe #hotakayamakawa #kodaisenga #masatakayoshida #shintarofujinami #emitaniho #yomiurigiants #tatsunorihara

Yamakawa was referred to prosecutors for allegedly raping a female acquaintance at a Tokyo hotel last November. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/09/04/baseball/japanese-baseball/hotaka-yamakawa-suspended-seibu/?utm_content=bufferf1046&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #baseball #japanesebaseball #hotakayamakawa #seibulions #rape #sexcrimes

Tokyo prosecutors have decided not to indict Hotaka Yamakawa, a member of Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning team, due to insufficient evidence over an allegation of rape. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/08/30/baseball/japanese-baseball/hotaka-yamakawa-no-charges/?utm_content=buffer819f4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #baseball #japanesebaseball #hotakayamakawa #rape #seibulions

Weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported earlier in May that the Samurai Japan infielder had assaulted a woman in her 20s. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/05/23/baseball/japanese-baseball/yamakawa-rape-prosecution/?utm_content=bufferbf03a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #sports #japanesebaseball #seibulions #hotakayamakawa

The infielder's removal from the roster was "a comprehensive decision" in which his "condition" was also considered, the Lions said. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/05/12/baseball/japanese-baseball/yamakawa-taken-off-roster/?utm_content=buffer75377&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #sports #japanesebaseball #sexualassault #hotakayamakawa