The Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)—Japan's primary baseball league—has instructed all umpires to wear helmets during games. This regulation is a proactive measure to enhance safety on the field. The decision was promulgated following careful research and with the overarching objective of preventing severe injuries to umpires from stray balls while conducting games.

Baseball is one of the most appreciated sports in Japan, with immense reverence for umpires who have historically not worn any protective headgear in games. This change reflects Japan's evolving approach toward prioritizing safety for all involved in sports events. It also showcases the capability of NPB in choosing the well-being of its personnel over traditional practices.

Contrastingly, in the US, it has been a long-time practice in Major League Baseball (MLB) for umpires to wear protective helmets or masks. Therefore, this implementation by NPB aligns Japan's baseball safety standards more closely with international norms.