A prominent sports event in Japan is facing significant turmoil following the withdrawal of a high school team, whose teenage players are accused of physically abusing a younger teammate. Koryo high school, which was representing Hiroshima prefecture in the summer high school baseball championships, abruptly pulled out of the competition. The decision came in response to severe public criticism after reports emerged that several of its members had assaulted a junior player earlier in the year.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with calls for the team’s expulsion, as well as incidents where Koryo students were chased on their way to and from school, and even a bomb threat. This year’s summer tournament at Koshien stadium, one of Japan’s biggest sporting events, features 49 teams and draws vast audiences, both in attendance and via television.
The tournament, first held in 1915, has been instrumental in launching the careers of several famous Japanese baseball players, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. Koryo’s principal, Masakazu Hori, cited the need to protect students and staff as the reason for the withdrawal, stating that the school will conduct a thorough overhaul of its educational methods.
The school’s investigation found that the young victim had been subjected to physical abuse, including shoving and slapping. He subsequently transferred to another school after his assailants apologized. The school reported the incident to the federation, which issued a reprimand but did not make it public initially. Police are now investigating the January incident following a complaint from the victim, and additional allegations from a former team member are underway.
The baseball team’s head coach has been relieved of his duties pending the investigation. Education Minister Toshiko Abe expressed deep regret over the students’ actions and urged the public to refrain from spreading unfounded allegations on social media. This is not the first time the tournament has faced abuse allegations, reflecting criticism over the competitive, regimented approach to sport in Japan. In 2015, PL Gakuen high school, one of the tournament’s most successful teams, halted its recruitment due to similar allegations. In 2023, a top team’s coach resigned amid accusations of abuse, and players in a qualifying game were instructed not to smile or wave at supporters, instead marching in a disciplined manner.
The Japan High School Baseball Federation has pledged to continue its efforts to eradicate violence, bullying, and unreasonable hierarchical relationships. Koryo, known for its tradition of producing professional players, becomes the first school in the tournament’s history to withdraw after the games have commenced. As a result, Koryo will forfeit its scheduled second-round game. The withdrawal’s impact was visible in a social media clip showing players from Koryo’s first-round opponents refusing to shake hands with Koryo players at the end of their game.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/11/japan-baseball-bullying-koryo-high-school-tournament-ntwnfb
