In recent news, Masahiro Oyama of Japan's Hanshin Tigers has taken the blame for his unprecedented third consecutive no-hit game. Despite his stellar past performances, Oyama has been underperforming this season, much to the disappointment of his teammates and fans. Oyama's accountable attitude has instigated a flurry of discussions in the sports industry regarding player responsibility.

Japan's professional baseball is as fervently followed as Major League Baseball in the U.S. The players and their performance are constantly in the public eye. Honoring personal responsibility and displaying a sense of humility in the face of failure, as Oyama did, are highly respected values in Japanese society and sports world.

In the U.S. and EU, professional athletes are also expected to take responsibility for their performance. However, the media often focuses more on team performance and coaching strategies. While individual player accountability exists, it is not a focal point like it is in Japan.