Japan to tune up against Czechia ahead of WBSC Premier12

World No. 1 Japan completed their first part of the preparation for the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS with . The Miyazaki Autumn Camp 2024, which opened on October 29 and finished on November 6.

Japan warmed up against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) on November 5. The National Team won, 5-0, showcasing solid pitching. Haruto Inoue of the Yomiuri Giants navigated through a rough start. The 23-year-old, one of the late picks by manager Hirokazu Ibata, will start Japan's opener against Australia on November 13 at the Vantelin Dome Nagoya.

"The players have done better than I imagined," commented Ibata. "I hope that with the addition of the four members of the Japan Series teams [Ryoya Kurihara of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks; Shugo Maki, Keita Sano and Masayuki Kuwahara of the champions Yokohama DeNA BayStars], the mood and atmosphere will improve even more."

On Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10, Japan will play two exhibition games against No. 14 Czechia at the Vantelin Dome Nagoya.