Japanese professional baseball player Hiroshi Arihara has decided to return to his former team, the Nippon-Ham Fighters. The move comes after a stint with the Texas Rangers in Major League Baseball. The exact date of his return and his contract details are yet to be revealed.

In Japan, baseball is a sport followed passionately, and player transfers especially from the MLB back to the Japanese league generate much interest and discussion. Fans are usually quite attached to players who have had a successful career overseas and their return is often seen as an important boost to the team and the league itself.

In the US and EU, player movements, especially the return of a notable talent, are a common occurrence in sports. These so-called 'homecomings' are often celebrated, generating significant media interest and fan enthusiasm, similar to the situation in Japan.