News On Japan

Shohei Ohtani is in TROUBLE!? Cubs Sign Japanese Pitcher!

Jan 14, 2024 (Fuzzy) - Via MLB Trade Rumors: The Cubs are in agreement with NPB left-hander Shota Imanaga on a deal, as first reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The contract is pending a physical, which is scheduled for Wednesday.

Imanaga’s deal must be finalized before his 45-day posting window closes at 5:00 pm EST on Thursday. Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported the deal will pay around $15MM annually over multiple seasons. That surprisingly takes the form of a two-year guarantee in the $30MM range, reports Jim Bowden of the Athletic. Bowden and Jon Heyman of the New York Post each suggest the contract contains various team/player options and escalators and could max out around $80MM.The Yankees have held “productive” discussions with free agent right-hander Marcus Stroman recently, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com. There’s no indication that a deal is close at this time, but USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported over the weekend that the Long Island native had expressed interest in pitching for the Yankees (though the team hadn’t made an offer at the time). Julio Urias and Wander Franco updates as well

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Japan began applying a new numerical alcohol threshold for dangerous driving offenses on July 21, introducing a clearer standard for cases involving impaired driving that could lead to fatal accidents.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government approved its first annual basic economic and fiscal policy on Tuesday, pledging "responsible and proactive fiscal policy" and envisioning about 370 trillion yen in public- and private-sector investment in strategic industries through fiscal 2040.

A covert network of shuttle tankers is carrying crude through the increasingly dangerous Strait of Hormuz as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran disrupts shipping and raises concerns over how Japan will secure the oil it needs.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has criticized moves by Japanese and Ukrainian companies to cooperate on drone technology, warning that such ties would be regarded by Moscow as a "clear hostile act."

The rainy season ended in the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions on July 20 as strengthening high pressure brought intense heat across Japan, with temperatures forecast to reach 38 C in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, and Kofu.

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Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first Japanese player to reach 300 career home runs in Major League Baseball, hitting a solo shot in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles on July 7.

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