Japanese professional baseball player, Tanaka Masahiro, has publicly expressed his opposition to the seven-inning rule introduced in local high school baseball. The rule, implemented in an attempt to protect young athletes from injuries and exhaustion, limits high school matches to seven innings instead of the traditional nine. Tanaka argues for the preservation of the sport's integrity and the players' proper development.

In Japan, baseball is considered both a traditional sport and social institution. High school baseball, in particular, receives significant media attention and fan interest. It is seen not only as a sport but as a symbol of youth, perseverance, and team spirit. Changes to this revered institution, even in the name of player welfare, can be seen as disruptive and controversial.

In the US, issues of sports rule changes are taken equally seriously and are often subject to intense debate amongst stakeholders, similar to Japan. However, given the more litigious nature of American society, changes geared towards safety and risk mitigation might face less opposition. In the EU, sports rules are usually more flexible and adapt with changing times and technology, provided they do not compromise the spirit of the game.