Overview

• J3 Kochi released an investigation that identified 5 of 12 reported cases as power harassment, with manager Yutaka Akita tendering his resignation and representative director Shiomi Yamamoto set to step down.
• In NPB on Sept. 20, the Fighters won 8–7 on a pinch‑hit walk‑off double by Taishi Asama, Orix beat SoftBank 5–4 behind a Wakatsuki three‑run homer and ninth‑inning tiebreak, and Rakuten edged Seibu 2–1 with Kosei Shoji earning his fourth win and Shosei Toohira logging his 10th save.
• Japan’s U18 baseball team fell to the United States in the Sept. 14 World Cup final, and coach Masayoshi Ogura said he will not wear the national uniform again.
• Takefusa Kubo started for Real Sociedad in a 1–3 loss at Real Betis on Sept. 19, leaving the club winless through five league matches after a third straight defeat.
• Chunichi’s Sept. 18 loss to DeNA extended a skid and set a season‑worst 16 games under .500, with a second‑place finish mathematically out of reach.