Leaders say Japan can learn from national team
Posted on: Wednesday, 22 March 2006, 09:00 CST
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan can learn a lot from the national baseball team's never-say-die spirit following their victory at the inaugural World Baseball Classic, a leading political figure said on Wednesday.
Japanese manager and home run king Sadaharu Oh led his team to a 10-6 victory over Cuba in San Diego on Monday after pounding South Korea in their semi-final to avenge two earlier defeats.
"I think the people's heart became one for the first time in a long time," Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe told a news conference on Wednesday.
"They grabbed the chance afforded by their unexpected advance into the finals. We should learn from the guts of 'Oh Japan'."
Members of the team -- except for major leaguers Ichiro Suzuki and Akinori Otsuka who stayed in the United States -- received a hero's welcome when they returned home on Wednesday.
They were greeted at the airport by rows of fans who cheered and clapped when the team appeared from the arrival lobby.
Japan had been on the brink of elimination before Mexico's shock win over the United States let them advance to the semi-finals.
The win still dominated the front pages of national dailies and television talk shows on Wednesday and highlights of the team's path to victory were replayed over and again.
Abe said the government was considering national awards for the team and a special honor for Ichiro Suzuki, whose displays of passion and prowess endeared the usually stoic Seattle Mariners all-star outfielder to his compatriots.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was equally enthused.
"I was impressed for the first time in a long time. I believe it touched the hearts of many people," he told reporters.
Farm Minister Shoichi Nakagawa had high praise for Ichiro.
"Ichiro is a great player because he has lots of cards... and knows which one to play depending on the situation," Nakagawa told a news conference.
The baseball victory was especially sweet after Japan's disappointing performance at the Winter Olympics, where figure skater Shizuka Arakawa's gold was the country's only medal.
(Additional reporting by Aya Takada and Masayuki Kitano)
Source: REUTERS
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