Shohei Ohtani Sparks World Series Fever in Japan

Mon Oct 20 2025 22:13:16 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Millions tune in as the Dodgers' star brings baseball excitement to a new height in Japan.

With over 15 million viewers for the first two games, the World Series, featuring Shohei Ohtani, captivates fans across Japan, marking a significant cultural moment for baseball.

In a remarkable development, the World Series drew incredible viewership in Japan, thanks to Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. Jun Mizuno, who operates a bar in Toyama, saw his establishment open early—8 a.m.—to accommodate excited fans eager to support their homegrown hero.

Ohtani’s presence in the World Series, alongside Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, propelled interests to new heights. Each of the first two games attracted an impressive average of 15.2 million viewers in Japan, surpassing the 14.5 million viewers in the United States, according to Major League Baseball stats.

Given the 9 a.m. start time for games in Japan, fans enjoyed their favorite sport during breakfast, with bar patrons feasting on morning specials like eggs and coffee while cheering for the Dodgers, who took the win over the Yankees in a thrilling Game 5.