Japan announced their 20-player roster for the upcoming XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup with Shiro Mabuchi returning as manager after finishing third at the XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. His staff includes bench coach Takashi Iwai and assistant coaches Masaaki Kosaka and Kimiya Higa who are also returning from last year. Tokuichi Kasai and Yuji Kato complete the coaching staff.
"Last year's World Cup strengthened my belief that the road to success is the type of baseball based on strong pitching. Perfect defence and the running game make the rest," said Mabuchi.
The Meitoku Gijuku high school head coach added, "I made a clear picture of the game I aimed to play and selected the 20 players based on that. We want to showcase the Japanese way to baseball to the world."
Before the tournament starts, Mabuchi intends to "unite my staff with players to face the World Cup with pride."
The U-18 Samurai Japan will play a warm up game against the Collegiate National Team at the Tokyo Dome on Monday, 28 August.
The XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup is set to open on 31 August in Taipei City as World No. 5 Chinese Taipei, the reigning silver medallists, face No. 9 Australia at Tianmu Stadium.
No. 1 Japan will debut the day after against No. 21 Spain. Group B also includes the defending champions, No. 2 USA, No. 6 Venezuela, No. 7 Netherlands and No. 11 Panama.
