In the Central League, the Yakult Swallows claimed the pennant and defeated the Yomiuri Giants in the final stage of the Climax Series.
In the Pacific League, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks won the penant and defeated the Chiba Lotte Marines in the final stage of the Climax Series.
The regular season league champions, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (PL) and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows (CL), received byes to the championship round.
Yomiuri Giants (2) vs. Hanshin Tigers (1) Chiba Lotte Marines (2) vs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (1) The regular season league champions, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (PL) and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows (CL), received a one-game advantage.
Yomiuri Giants (1) vs. Tokyo Yakult Swallows (4) Chiba Lotte Marines (0) vs. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (4) CL Tokyo Yakult Swallows (1) vs. PL Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (4) [3]