Samurai Japan changes stripes in aim for continued success

The Yomiuri Shimbun

12:00 JST, January 14, 2022

Coming off a gold medal run at the Tokyo Olympics, Japan’s national baseball team unveiled its new uniform on Thursday featuring a unique pinstripe design that signifies a passing on of the team’s power to the next generation.

The home uniform for the team, nicknamed “Samurai Japan,” is white with pinstripes designed in a spiral pattern of crimson and dark blue, colors traditionally associated with power and victory. The away uniform consists of a dark blue top with “Japan” in crimson and white pants with a single stripe.

The Samurai Japan’s next major competition will be the World Baseball Classic, scheduled for March next year.

At a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday, Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Hiromi Ito modeled the home uniform, while Tokyo Yakult Swallows slugger Munetaka Murakami donned the away uniform.

“It’s light and easy to move around in,” Murakami said. “I’m going to try my best so that I get a chance to wear this.”

The new uniform is scheduled to make its debut in an exhibition series against Taiwan on March 5 and 6 at Tokyo Dome.