Top-tier Japanese baseball player, SB Uesawa, has publicly acknowledged his battle with a sports-related psychological issue known as 'Yips'. This issue, known for affecting an athlete's performance particularly in precision sports, came to light recently during his performances. Uesawa is committed to overcoming this hurdle, with plans in place to work with sports psychologists for the same.

Mental health issues in sports is largely stigmatized and often goes unspoken in Japan. Uesawa’s admission is unique and somewhat unusual, signaling a possible cultural shift towards a more accepting attitude concerning mental health. This has invoked a significant reaction from fans and the broader Japanese society, who are watching closely to see how this is being handled within the world of professional sports.

In the US and the EU, mental health awareness in sports has seen significant progress in recent years, with athletes routinely discussing psychological issues they face. However, in Japan this focus has been more recent, signalling a slow but important change in sports culture.