In the bustling bar scene of Tokyo, Jun Mizuno has made significant changes to accommodate the burgeoning enthusiasm for the World Series, thanks to the stellar performance of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. Traditionally opening his establishment at 5 p.m., Mizuno shifted his hours to 8 a.m. this season, ensuring fans could congregate over breakfast to watch their hero compete for the championship.
On Thursday morning, bar-goers watched Ohtani lead the Dodgers to a thrilling 7-6 victory against the New York Yankees in Game 5, marking a moment of national pride for Japan. "The entire country is thrilled," Mizuno expressed, noting a massive banner of Ohtani proudly displayed outside his bar.
The love for baseball in Japan is longstanding, but Ohtani’s participation in the World Series alongside fellow Japanese player Yoshinobu Yamamoto has catapulted the event into extraordinary heights of popularity. Reports show that nearly 15.2 million viewers in Japan tuned in for the first two games, surpassing the average viewership of 14.5 million in the United States, as indicated by Major League Baseball statistics.
Broadcast at 9 a.m. JST, fans enjoyed the games even during their work hours, leading establishments such as Mizuno’s to create special breakfast menus that included eggs, bacon, cheese toast, and coffee, enticing patrons to experience the games in style. As Japan celebrates this iconic moment in sports, the impact of Shohei Ohtani continues to reverberate, uniting fans across the nation in fervor and excitement for baseball.
