Japanese baseball star, Koji Komboto, made a notable appearance to perform the ceremonial first pitch at a game of the Hanshin Tigers tied to whom he's remained faithfully. Fans eagerly awaited and cheered as Komboto took the mound, signaling the start of the baseball season. This momentous ceremony sets off the high stakes of this season within the Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Baseball is a major sport in Japan, and ceremonial first pitches symbolize the commencement of the new season. They often have well-known personalities, such as Koji Komboto, especially when they have a strong connection to the team. Fans see this as a sign of mutual respect between the team and the player and appreciate the uplifting spirit it brings to the game.

Much like in Japan, the ceremonial first pitch in baseball games in the US is a cherished tradition, providing a symbolic start to the game and often involving celebrities or people of significance. The strong emotional connection with the team and the player is quite similar in both countries.