Former Hanshin Tigers player, Kentaro Sekimoto, has decided to self-restrain his activities. While the exact reasons for Sekimoto's decisions remain unclear, self-restraint in this context, often reflects a personal circumstance that needs attention. The former baseball player is popular in Japan, and his decision has prompted discussion among fans and other athletes.

In Japan, self-restraint, known as "jishuku," is often a tactic pursued publicly when a figure, especially in sports or entertainment, deals with personal issues or controversy. It's a way of showing consideration to fans and the public, subtly acknowledging there is a matter that needs to be addressed privately. This action is seen as a mark of respect and reflects the value Japanese culture places on harmony and avoiding disturbance to others.

In comparison to the US or EU, an athlete taking a break due to personal reasons is not often labeled as self-restraint, but usually specified such as "personal leave" or "mental health break". While it's similarly respectful to the public in the West, there isn't the same expectation for public figures to abstractly minimise their activities for the sake of social harmony.