TL;DR - Scouting Report
MLB prize flags featuring Shohei Ohtani are making waves at Tokyo’s Grand Sumo Tournament, promoting the Dodgers-Cubs Tokyo Series and uniting baseball and sumo in a historic global event. Learn how MLB’s marketing strategy steals the spotlight.
Start the Rally: Tweet This Now!Shohei Ohtani and the MLB are making history at Tokyo’s Grand Sumo Tournament, blending baseball’s global influence with sumo’s ancient tradition.
Dodgers and Cubs Join Sumo’s Main Events with Ohtani at the Forefront
Multiple prize banners are scheduled to appear for all 15 days of the January Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, taking place from January 12-26, 2025.
On the first day of the tournament, a banner featuring Japanese Dodgers and Cubs superstars Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga will appear in the main event and concluding bout between Yokozuna Terunofuji and Komusubi Wakatakakage.
How to Watch the MLB World Tour Tokyo Series
It will be promoting its upcoing MLB World Tour Tokyo Series (presented by Guggenheim) between the Dodgers and the Cubs, to be played March 18 and 19 at Tokyo Dome. First pitch for both games will be 7 p.m. Japanese Standard Time (JST).
Japan does not observe Daylight Savings Time, so 7 p.m. JST currently translates to 2 a.m. PST. However, clocks will “spring forward” one hour on Sunday, March 9 in most of the United States, meaning that first pitch will be 3 a.m. PDT in Los Angeles for both these games.
Full MLB World Tour Tokyo Series Schedule
- Exhibition Game 1 – 3/15/25 – Cubs vs. Hanshin Tigers, 12 p.m. JST/8 p.m. PDT
- Exhibition Game 2 – 3/15/25 – Dodgers vs. Yomiuri Giants, 7 p.m. JST/3 a.m. PDT
- Exhibition Game 3 – 3/16/25 – Dodgers vs. Hanshin Tigers, 12 p.m. JST/8 p.m. PDT
- Exhibition Game 4 – 3/16/25 – Cubs vs. Yomiuri Giants, 7 p.m. JST/3 a.m. PDT
- Regular Season Game 1 – 3/18/25 – Dodgers at Cubs, 7 p.m. JST/3 a.m. PDT
- Regular Season Game 2 – 3/19/25 – Dodgers at Cubs, 7 p.m. JST/3 a.m. PDT
“It will be special,” said the NL MVP Ohtani of the upcoming Japan Series, “I think it will be special for Japanese baseball fans too.”
The Significance of Japanese Prize Flags (Kenshokin)
MLB is one of 13 companies creating prize flags to be used at the tournament, promoting the upcoming series. The flags feature Japanese superstars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both of the Dodgers, and Shota Imanaga of the Cubs.
Japanese prize flags, called kenshokin, are awarded to the winner of a sumo wrestling bout. They are used by businesses as a way to advertise their products and events.
The cost is 70,000 yen per flag, or a USD equivalent of approximately $443.92 (as of writing of post). The winning wrestler receives the money contained in each flag, which is 60,000 yen, or approximately $380.51 USD for winning his bout.
More banners signifies more excitement for the card, typically.
This year’s event received a total of 2,955 prize applications, according to the Japan Sumo Association, via a Yahoo! News Japan report. The reported number is more than 300 more than the reported number from last year’s tournament.
MLB’s Impact on Sumo Wrestling’s Global Appeal
“Sports-related prizes are rare. We are grateful that they are being offered on such a large scale,” a representative from the Japan Sumo Association said.
Even more rare is for people to appear on prize flags. The Dodgers have a flag featuring Ohtani, Yamamoto and Mookie Betts. The Cubs will have one with Imanata, Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki and shortstop Dansby Swanson.
The sold-out event is seen as a huge deal due to the yokozuna challenge. The ranking of yokozuna is the highest any sumo wrestler can attain.
Here’s a look at the flags MLB will be using during the upcoming tournament in Tokyo over the next 12 days.
Shohei Ohtani’s Goal for the 2025 Season
When asked about his upcoming goal for the 2025 season, Ohtani went with the obvious answer: “of course, my number one goal is to win consecutive championships.”
Ohtani’s presence bridges two iconic worlds, creating an unforgettable moment for baseball and sumo fans alike, and providing an opportunity for sumo wrestling to gain some traction and awareness in the States.
Your Turn: Which Japanese prize flag catches your eye? Join the conversation and tell us below in the comments why you’re excited for the Dodgers-Cubs Tokyo Series!
