Overview

• Koryo High became the first team in Koshien history to withdraw mid-tournament following a social media backlash over hazing allegations
• An internal review in January confirmed four senior players had shoved and slapped a first-year teammate at the team dormitory
• The school reported the assault to the Japan High School Baseball Federation and received a reprimand in March without public disclosure until viral posts in early August
• The federation described the withdrawal as extremely regrettable and vowed to strengthen measures against violence, bullying and irrational hierarchies in youth baseball
• Police have opened a probe after the victim filed a complaint and the team’s head coach has been relieved of his duties as a third-party panel examines additional abuse claims