The Embassy of Japan proudly announces that Okubo Hideaki, currently team director of ENEOS baseball team, one of the strongest in Japanese amateur baseball, is coming to Palau to observe the little league games and to hold a baseball clinic between 14th and 16th March, 2025.
Okubo is a legendary figure in Japanese amateur baseball, he has won the highest amateur baseball league tournament, Toshitaikou Yakyu (inter-city baseball tournament) 4 times as a field manager (no one has ever done it). As a player, he was a draft prospect and picked up by a Japanese professional baseball team in 1995, but postponed joining because he wanted to participate in the Atlanta Olympics as a member of the all-Japan team. The Japan team won the silver medal at the Olympics and he was instrumental for the team as a regular catcher. In total, he had been a field manager of university and company team for 19 years after his retirement from professional baseball.
His visit is an effort to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Iakiu in Palau. Iakiu was introduced to Palau by the Japanese in 1925 and is derived from the Japanese word ‘Yakyu’ (baseball). Japan and Palau are the only places where baseball is called by this name.
What a privilege to have a legend like Okubo here with us. For those interested in baseball, don’t miss the opportunity to attend a baseball clinic at the Palau-Nippon Stadium (Asahi Baseball Field) on March 16th. Also, join us at Palau-Nippon Stadium to watch the Little League games on March 15th. We will provide updates on our Facebook account.