Noto Peninsula Earthquake

Ex-Major Leaguer Hideki Matsui Donates ¥10 Million for Noto Peninsula Earthquake Relief

Yomiuri Shimbun file photo
Hideki Matsui throws out a ceremonial first pitch before game at Tokyo Dome in May last year.

The Yomiuri Shimbun

20:46 JST, January 23, 2024

KANAZAWA — Former major league slugger and Ishikawa Prefecture native Hideki Matsui donated ¥10 million for relief efforts for those affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

Matsui, 49, is serving as honorary tourism ambassador for the city of Nomi, which announced the donation made through the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Matsui’s father Masao, 81, who was in attendance with his wife at city hall for the announcement, said that his son wishes for a speedy recovery of the affected areas, saying he “wanted to do what he could to help those who are suffering.”

The Japanese Red Cross Society will distribute the funds in the coming days.

Matsui starred with the Yomiuri Giants, winning three home run titles, before joining the New York Yankees as a free agent in 2003. He was the World Series MVP with the Yankees in 2009, and played for three other teams before retiring in 2012.