In Tokyo, you can't go more than a few train stops without encountering baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani. He's featured on giant billboards, in product commercials, on soda cans, and even on subway cars.

Despite playing more than 8,000km away from his homeland, the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball star has nationwide coverage in Japan – not just as a great athlete, but as a national icon.

The two-time star and the historic contract.

Born in 1994 in Oshu, a peaceful town in northern Japan, Shohei Ohtani impressed people from a young age with his athletic talent and extraordinary physical strength. As a high school student, he was able to throw a ball at speeds exceeding 160 km/h – a feat rarely achieved even by professional athletes.

Joining the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2013, Ohtani quickly became a sensation in the Japan National Baseball League (NPB). Five years later, in 2018, Ohtani moved to the United States, joining the Los Angeles Angels, beginning his journey to conquer the pinnacle of Major League Baseball (MLB).

What makes Ohtani a "living wonder" of modern sports is his all-around skill, being both a top pitcher and a batter genius—a rarity in modern baseball. He broke physical limits and changed the mindset of a sport that had existed for over a century.

In December 2023, Shohei Ohtani rewrote history by signing a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers – the highest in American sports history. Behind that colossal sum lies a story of global influence: not just because of his talent, but also because of the humble image and the Japanese spirit he represents.

In Japan, Shohei Ohtani is more than just an athlete. He is a source of inspiration and national pride in this era of globalization. Television programs constantly update his every move, from his meals and fashion style to his pet dog Decoy and even his smiles on the training field. Japanese television is even described as being "immersed in Ohtani from morning till night."

"Right now, Ohtani is what excites me most in life," said 79-year-old Kiyotada Sato at the MLB festival in Tokyo. In Los Angeles, about 80-90% of Japanese tourists visiting the city go to Dodger Stadium just to see him play. According to Seiji Terasawa, Vice President of NHK's Television Rights Division: "No one in Japan doesn't know Shohei Ohtani."

That appeal isn't just in the hearts of fans; it's also reflected in massive economic figures. MLB jersey sales in Japan increased by 183% over the past year; sponsorships rose by 114%, with new partners like Mastercard Japan and Konami. The limited-edition Ohtani jersey, designed by artist Takashi Murakami, sold out within an hour. Hundreds lined up the night before to buy it, while thousands of fans flocked to the Fanfest event at Tokyo Skytree Town to take photos with… a life-sized Ohtani mannequin.

According to SponsorUnited, the Dodgers may now surpass the Dallas Cowboys to become the world's highest-earning sports team in terms of advertising revenue.

The golden face of Japanese brands

With around 20 endorsement deals simultaneously – from pharmaceutical company Kowa, sports brand New Balance, to food and financial brands – Ohtani was not only a "highly valued athlete," but also a national brand.

According to his representative, Nez Balelo, revenue from endorsements allows Ohtani to defer receiving the majority of his $700 million salary until after 2033, thereby reducing financial pressure on the Dodgers and enabling the team to sign other star players.

Balelo also revealed that he had to turn down dozens of advertising offers each year so that Ohtani would have enough time to train and recover. "He wasn't chasing money. Ohtani just wanted to give his all to baseball," he said

For the Japanese, this only made them love him even more. In a society that values ​​discipline and passion for work, Ohtani is a living example of the "ganbaru" philosophy.

A love journey, a surprise wedding .

Amidst the cheers of the stadium and the millions of dollars in the lottery, Shohei Ohtani still maintains a peaceful corner for himself. There, he finds Mamiko Tanaka – the quiet woman who has been by his side through the glory and challenges of his life.

In February 2024, as fans were closely following Ohtani's preparations for the new season with the Dodgers, he unexpectedly posted a short announcement on Instagram: "Not only am I starting a new chapter in my career, but I'm also starting a new life with someone special from my native Japan. I'm married."

That status update immediately caused a media frenzy because Ohtani had never revealed any romantic relationships before.

Mamiko Tanaka was later confirmed as a former professional basketball player for the Fujitsu Red Wave (Japan Women's Basketball League - WBL). Tanaka is known for her calm, steady, and disciplined style. From 2019 to 2023, she played a total of 28 games, achieving a field goal percentage of 47.7%. After marrying Ohtani, Tanaka ended her sports career, leaving Japan to live a simple life away from the spotlight in the United States. They held a private wedding ceremony, without fanfare or paparazzi. And in April 2025, they welcomed their first daughter, also in complete privacy.

Mamiko Tanaka has repeatedly caused a stir online with her adorable frugal lifestyle. In March 2024, at a Dodgers dinner party in Seoul, the ZARA bag she carried, worth only 5,000 yen, sold out within hours. Later that year, she was spotted wearing a sweater from the same affordable brand while attending an NBA game with her husband.

Currently, Tanaka lives with her husband and children in Los Angeles. Tanaka rarely appears in public, quietly sitting in the stands during major games. When Ohtani set a record in a playoff game in October 2025, she appeared in the stands holding an iPhone 13 mini – a model that had been discontinued since 2023. That photo went viral on social media, and people called her "a symbol of simplicity in a world of luxury."

According to Women Seven magazine (Japan), Tanaka's simplicity aligns with Ohtani's personality and that of his family. His mother, Kiyoko, was once a national badminton player, but after her son's success, she continued her part-time job. His family still lives a simple life in their hometown.

That humility became the "glue" that connected Ohtani and his wife to millions of Japanese people – people who saw them in themselves: humble, hardworking, persistent, and always striving forward.