Toronto Blue Jays Sign Japanese Baseball Star Kazuma Okamoto

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Written By Rebecca Gao

The 29 year-old slugger has signed a $60-million four year contract with the Jays.

Kazuma Okamoto. Photo: WBSC.

On January 4, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that they had signed Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) star Kazuma Okamoto to a $60 million four-year contract.

The 29 year-old slugger has played for the Tokyo-based Yomiri Giants since 2015 and has been named an all-star in the Japanese league six times since 2015 and was the league’s home run leader in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He also helped the Japan team win the World Baseball classic in 2023, with Japan beating the U.S. 3-2.

Already, Toronto baseball fans are excited for what this talented Japanese player brings to the table. On top of being a very talented player, Okamoto is highly regarded in Japan and among some of the most famous players in the country.

Overseas, some Japanese sports fans are turning their attention to the Blue Jays. The signing has sparked interest in the Jays in Asia and Japan, recruiting new fans who will follow Okamoto as he makes his way to the MLB—just as they did when superstar Shohei Ohtani signed to the Angels and then the Dodgers.

Attention will also be on the Jays this year after nearly winning the World Series in 2025—a loss that can be attributed to the winning team’s elite Japanese players like Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

In Toronto, fans are excited not just to watch Okamoto play but also to witness his infectious personality. At his introductory press conference in Toronto on Tuesday, he made attendees laugh constantly with his funny answers and charming demeanour. The Globe and Mail reported that Okamoto’s translator kept laughing at the player’s responses. “He just has a very interesting personality,” the translator explained.

Fans have also pointed to how well Okamoto has faced off against other prominent Japanese players who have moved over to the MLB like him, delighting in his ability to best pitchers like Yamamoto back in Japan. Perhaps, this is another indication that the future of baseball is in Asia.

The admiration is mutual. At the press conference in Toronto on Tuesday, he introduced himself to the media in the city—and shared why he decided to bring his talents to the only team in Canada. “I was very, very impressed by the play, but more so very impressed to see how fans cheered loudly and how there’s so much love,” Okamoto said through his interpreter.

And, in a wholesome tidbit during his press conference, Okamoto shared that his young daughter helped him with his decision. Before deciding which team to sign with, he asked her to pick a logo out from all 30 MLB teams. She picked the Blue Jays.

Rebecca Gao
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