Masako "Absent" During Classic Games, Japanese Media Reveals Shohei Ohtani's Two Unwritten Rules

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is fiercely contested, with Samurai Japan battling through to secure a spot in the top eight. The on-field performance of the team's US-based two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is closely watched, yet his wife Masako remains unseen in broadcasts and media reports. Japanese media note that this is Masako's first trip back to Japan postpartum, and Ohtani, who cherishes his wife, has made family his top priority in travel arrangements and lifestyle during this home-country tournament. Japanese media also strictly adhere to two "unwritten rules," otherwise they risk being "blacklisted" by Ohtani and facing restrictions on future interviews.

According to Japanese media outlet "Women's SEVEN," before the Classic began, most Japanese team players returned on February 24 and flew directly to an airport near Nagoya to join the team. However, Ohtani chose to land at Haneda Airport because he first needed to escort his wife Masako, their newborn daughter, and their beloved dog back to their Tokyo residence to settle in. He joined the Japanese team's training in Nagoya two days later. Insiders say Ohtani always maintains his own pace, but when it involves family, he typically puts "family first."

The report points out that Masako's return to Japan this time is her first since giving birth, and her itinerary is quite discreet. Due to long-term residence overseas, returning home involves handling numerous matters. Witnesses mentioned she appeared wearing glasses at a ward office in Tokyo, likely processing administrative procedures, accompanied by staff. Other sources said she hosted grandparents at Ohtani's Tokyo home, allowing the elders to meet the couple's daughter for the first time.

While most family members of Japanese team players watch games from the team's designated seats, Masako has not been seen there. An insider revealed she does not attend every match, and when she does watch, she is usually in more private VIP boxes.

In fact, there is also an unwritten rule among Japanese media: "Shohei Ohtani's privacy is off-limits." A sports journalist disclosed that media must not proactively approach Masako herself, and even shots potentially capturing her seating area in the stands are avoided. Violating this rule could lead to restricted access for the media, hence her presence is scarcely seen in broadcasts or news coverage.

Additionally, during the Tokyo Dome schedule, the Japanese team booked a nearby high-end hotel for players to stay, but Ohtani did not reside there. Instead, after each game, he directly returned to his Tokyo home. Insiders note this routine mirrors his pattern in the Major Leagues, where he typically leaves the stadium about 20 minutes post-game to go home. After the first Tokyo schedule game of the Classic, Ohtani joked in an interview that he "wanted to hurry home to sleep, to prepare for tomorrow," and soon departed the Tokyo Dome swiftly.