WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: QUARTERFINALS 4 - VENEZUELA VS JAPAN

March 14, 2026

Seiya Suzuki

LoanDepot Park

Team Japan

Pregame Press Conference

Q. I guess that the Japanese team takes a look at the social networks and everything that is going on with the World Classic. Everyone is saying that the rules for the WBC are favoring both the U.S. and Japan. What do you think about that as a player?

SEIYA SUZUKI: Well, I think we have to play a really good game no matter what team we are playing against. All the teams that have come up until this point, they are all great teams, so we just have to play hard.

Q. Could you reflect over the growth of international baseball since you first joined Japan in 2017, joined the national team in 2017?

SEIYA SUZUKI: Well, compared to last time, I think we have much more powerful players, and I do feel -- this is my personal feeling, but I think the Japanese baseball players are changing.

But also, we are having a good part of the Japanese baseball is still staying the way it is. But I think it became more powerful. That will be my comment.

Q. The team has considered to put you in other positions in the outfield, not only in center field. What has the manager told you about that, as well as the Chicago team?

SEIYA SUZUKI: Of course, we were told about this from the previous time. I think we did the last season left center. I think we kept different positions.

And I myself was a little bit worried about it, but if the manager tells me -- and I was hoping that I could go to different positions. I'm in the WBC, so I don't particularly have any preference, but I'm just hoping that I can meet my manager's expectations. That's all.

Q. This tournament begins. I think Ibata has said that other teams have experience from the high school. So what do you think about this -- what is your experience in high school baseball? Do you think that experience helped you?

SEIYA SUZUKI: I'm not sure about that, but it's hard to say. I think our representing Japan is a very special occasion, so I think it's great that you can experience that while you are young.

And so, of course, as we become the top team, I think we get more nervous as it gets better. That would be the difference. So I would think that experience does help, I would say.

Q. We always think about the three years ago, and I think you were watching on the TV. What do you think about -- you're in Miami today?

SEIYA SUZUKI: Of course, when I was injured, and if I'm selected, I wanted to play for the team, and I wanted to experience the feeling to be a champion.

I am not injured. I am very healthy. So I think that we have a good chance that we can be a champion, so I want to do my best toward that.

Q. This is my question. For a long time, Japan has been number 1 in the world ranking. You have won the Classic three times. It seems to me that the world never considered you favored to win this Classic and they pay more attention to the D.R. and the U.S. Now, internally in the clubhouse, the Japanese team, have you spoken about that, that you are never considered the favorite for this Classic?

SEIYA SUZUKI: Well, I think Acosta and a lot of players representing their countries, and I'm very happy to be able to play against those countries. It's really hard to tell who wins. But I think I'm very happy to be able to play against those players who are representing their own countries. So I think it's going to be -- I hope nobody will be injured, and I hope everybody can play healthy.

(FastScripts by ASAP Sports)