Globalization and Localization

Two popular Japanese baseball teams, Tigers and Giants declared that they got the permission to have  their opening game in CA, USA next season. Sports organizations in USA such as NBA,MLB, or NFL have held some sporting event in foreign countries. But it is the first trial for Japaneses baseball organization to hold official game in foreign country. It is innovative and I think this project should be done for the globalization.  Creating new market in USA is going to be very beneficial and the introduction will give potential American baseball fans the opportunity to become interested in Japanese baseball and Japan.

But many Japanese fans disagreed to this innovative project. Both of two teams that will hold the game are the most popular teams in Japan. They have bee rival for a long time and the tickets of their games are sold out every time. They are like Yankees and Redsox in MLB. So, Many baseball fans in Japan are excited to watch the their opening game. The game is just 1/144(Japanese Baseball team have 144 games throughout season) but opening game is special. However, they will miss the game. That's why people disagree. Sports should consider fans as more important than anything else. To satisfy more fans, it is natural to think the games should be held in Japan as usual.


We have to make sure that the globalization is important in sport, or any business field. It is innovative action and first step of introduction of NPB(Japanese Professional Baseball) to USA. I know many fans will miss the opening game which the fans expect after the long winter. But I agree the trial taking a long view of NPB's global development.