At the Olympics in 2021, it faced Israel, Mexico, South Korea, the United States, and the Dominican Republic, and won gold.

However, in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, the team used Samurai, a symbol of Japan's history, instead of Hara, the surname of their manager.

[3] Win Lose Void or postponed Fixture Japan have dominated the Asian Baseball Championship since its inception, and have competed in every year.

Japan also holds the record for most consecutive Asian Championships, having won four times in a row on two occasions.

Japan won the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic, defeating Cuba in the Final.

Japan also won the 2009 World Baseball Classic, hosting the Pool A games in the Tokyo Dome.

Japan then secured advancement into the second round with a 14–2 win in seven innings over arch-rival South Korea.

Japan defeated South Korea in the Finals 5–3 partly because of an Ichiro Suzuki base hit in the 10th inning.

Despite their first loss against the Cuban team, they secured their position for the second round in 2013 World Baseball Classic Pool 1 to face off the Netherlands and Chinese Taipei.

Thanks to a home run robbery and double from Randy Arozarena, Mexico led 5–3 after the top of the eighth inning.

[9] In the championship, Japan beat the United States, with Ohtani striking out his then-MLB teammate Mike Trout to end the game.

[12] Six national teams are competing in the tournament: Israel, Japan (host), Mexico, South Korea, the United States, and the Dominican Republic.

[15] Three players made the All-World team, catcher Shōgo Sakakura, second baseman Kaito Kozono, and outfielder Shōta Morishita.