Talking with Kyuji Fujikawa! The Power of Sports to Transcend National Borders; Baseball Links Paraguay and Kochi
From Paraguay, South America, the “other side of the globe” of Japan, one can hear the Tosa dialect–? In fact, many Japanese moved to Paraguay and other South American countries as part of a national policy after World War II, and today there are 2 million people of Japanese descent living in these countries. Surprisingly, many first-generation Japanese in Paraguay are from Kochi Prefecture, and Kochi culture has taken root in the Japanese American community.
In early December 2022, former Major League Baseball player Kyuji Fujikawa, a native of Kochi Prefecture, appeared at a roundtable in Geisei Village, Kochi Prefecture, to discuss the connection between Paraguay and Kochi. He came to Japan from Paraguay in the spring of the same year to play professional baseball, and became a trainee for the Kochi Fighting Dogs of the Shikoku Independent League, of which Mr. Fujikawa was also a member. In addition, there is Yutaka Koga, a Paraguayan baseball coach who came to Japan as a trainee under the “Human Resource Development of Baseball Coaches” program (Note 1), which is implemented in cooperation with JICA and the Kochi Fighting Dogs.
The three, connected by the common language of baseball, will discuss the power of sports to transcend national borders, and baseball in Paraguay and Japan.
Japanese Baseball, Inherited in Faraway Paraguay 《Soccer is very popular in South America, but baseball is thriving in the Japanese-American community in Paraguay. Mr. Fujikawa, did you know that?
Mr. Kyuji Fujikawa (“Mr. Fujikawa”)
I am talking about Brazil. When I went to Brazil on a week-long tour with the high school selection team, there were Japanese-American players playing there, and I felt that baseball is one culture that brings Japanese-Americans together. Former Yakult baseball player Yoichi Okabayashi (Note 2), who is also a high school senior, is from Paraguay, and I feel that what was passed down to me by the first-generation Japanese Americans who immigrated to South America has been passed on to the next generation.
Yutaka Koga (“Mr. Koga”)
The Nikkei community has enjoyed baseball since our parents’ generation. Baseball is a place where people of Japanese descent can feel the culture of Japan and unite their hearts through the game.
Last spring, you came to Japan from Paraguay to join the Kochi Fighting Docks (Kochi FD) as a trainee. What do you feel while playing baseball in Japan?
Takuya Niguchi (“Mr. Niguchi”)
In Paraguay, I used to throw the ball in my own way, but in Japan, I was surprised to see how carefully they work on everything from pitching form to training, thinking theoretically about each step of the process. I think Japanese baseball is really careful, and the pitching form is stable and beautiful.
Mr. Fujikawa.
That’s right. On the other hand, we must not forget about the wonderful baseball culture of Paraguay and other Latin American countries. I learned from the Central and South American players’ attitude toward baseball that it is important for children to enjoy practice in order to develop their abilities. Both Japan and Central and South America have their good points, and I feel that by “exchanging” in both directions, we can change and evolve into a hybrid type that combines the good points of each.
The Power of Sports and the Importance of Taking on Challenges 《Mr. Fujikawa, in 2013 you took on the challenge of playing in the Major Leagues, which had been a goal of yours for many years. Did the language and cultural differences pose any hurdles for you in taking on the challenge in a foreign country?
Mr. Fujikawa.
The fact that we had a common language, “baseball,” was a big factor. By chasing the same ball together, we could communicate even if we did not understand each other’s language, and I felt that our worlds were truly connected. I believe that sports in which people move their bodies together have such positive power.
How about you, Mr. Niguchi, who is currently taking on the challenge of becoming a professional baseball player in Japan?
Mr. Niguchi.
Since I could originally speak Japanese, I came to Japan with the feeling that I could make it in Japan.
After changing my training methods, I have increased my pitch speed by more than 10 km/h in six months, and I think my level is improving, albeit gradually. The coach has also expressed high expectations for me. For the sake of the people who support me in Kochi, I want to live up to their expectations.
How do Mr. Fujikawa and Ms. Koga perceive Mr. Futaguchi’s challenge?
Mr. Fujikawa.
I am sure that many people will become interested in Paraguay because of Mr. Futaguchi’s activities. I think this is very valuable in terms of international exchange. He is currently a trainee, but I am very much looking forward to seeing his level improve further.
Mr. Koga.
I was his mentor in Paraguay, and now I just want to support him in his challenge. I would be happy if there are more children who will follow in his footsteps. My dream is to eventually become a coach of the Paraguayan national team and participate in the Pan American Games (Note 3).
People are polished whenever the environment changes.
Mr. Fujikawa.
Every time the environment changes, people become more polished. I hope that Niguchi-kun will spend his days so that he can be proud of the person he is today and the person he will be five years from now. When you are tired or have a hard time, change your gaze to the goal in front of you, and when you are confident, look at the goal in the distance. I want you to keep looking ahead and keep pushing forward without stopping.
Mr. Niguchi.
Thank you very much. I’ll do my best for the rest of my life!
Mr. Fujikawa.
I hope that Mr. Koga will make use of what he learned from the JICA training program in Japan to further promote baseball in Paraguay. I would also like to see the creation of an environment that invites players and coaches from Japan. I feel that Mr. Koga is the right person to take on such a big mission.
Mr. Koga.
With the help of the Kochi FD and JICA, I would like to lay a solid foundation for Japanese-style baseball in Paraguay. I would like to do my best so that one day I can proudly say to Mr. Fujikawa, “Please come to Paraguay.
© Source JICA
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