"I have served as a coach in professional baseball in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, but the current Monkeys team is interesting.""You should pay attention."The one who shared this was Kenji Furukubo, the head coach who has been guiding the Rakuten Monkeys since 2022.If you're going to start cheering, now is the best time!

In recent years, the attention towards Taiwanese professional baseball in Japan has increased, a significant reason for which is the emergence of the Rakuten Monkeys in 2019.Chen Kuan-Yu, who once played in Japanese professional baseball, has many appealing qualities, including his outstanding performances and the dedicated support from the cheerleading squad, Rakuten Girls.Furthermore, are you aware that currently, a Japanese person is playing the role of the team’s overall leader?Kenji Furukubo, the head coach, is a renowned mentor who has been nurturing professional baseball players for over 20 years, and has also been a member of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.Being involved in “Rakuten Baseball” in both Japan and Taiwan is something you can’t miss hearing about!Although he may look a bit intimidating at first glance, you can sense his love for the players in every word he speaks. Just listening to him talk somehow makes you feel more passionate about baseball.I see, so this is what it’s like to talk with a coach!

── Coach Furukubo is well-versed in professional Baseball both in Japan and Taiwan, I believe.From that perspective, could you tell me what charm might make Japanese baseball fans fall for the Rakuten Monkeys?

Firstly, the level of the players is high.Lin Li, who also participated in the WBC, is undoubtedly one of the leading players in Taiwanese professional baseball today.His potential should not be underestimated, even in countries like Japan or America.Additionally, third baseman Liang Chia-Jung is also good.His glove handling and the flexibility of his wrist are truly amazing.I’m not sure if it’s fair to say it’s on par with Nori (Norihiro Nakamura), though (laughs).There are many top-class Taiwanese Baseball players on this team, just like them.

── The two people you just mentioned are both in their 20s, aren’t they?Should we also support the emergence of young athletes?

That’s right.There is still much growth to be experienced, so there should be plenty of reasons for fans to continue their support.In that regard, The Monkeys as a whole are now entering a period of generational change.All the players who joined through the draft last year are full of potential and exciting to watch.It should certainly be interesting to see how they strive to surpass the accomplished veteran players.

── What characteristics of the Rakuten Monkeys have you noticed in your role as head coach?

Anyway, the team’s unity is strong.This might be a characteristic that can be said about the entirety of Taiwanese Professional Baseball.Everyone gets along well.Moreover, they have a good personality.On the other hand, there are times when I think he/she is too kind.Compared to Japan and America, the scale of professional baseball is not large, so all the opposing teams are friends.Even though I was on the opposing team until last year, I regularly communicated with the Monkeys’ players, so when I became the head coach, they welcomed me immediately.

── While feeling that’s also a good aspect, there should be a bit more tension.

I sometimes think so.After all, it’s a matter of competition.There are times when you have to be tough in your approach.

── This might be a difficult question to answer, but do you feel there is a level difference between professional Baseball in Japan and Taiwan?

Firstly, speaking on an individual player level, there is no noticeable difference.The quality of pitchers is improving year by year.I think they could achieve great results even if they went to professional Baseball in Japan.Speaking in terms of teams, this is a bit of a difficult topic to discuss.It’s not so much a difference in level, but the play styles are completely different.As can be seen from watching the Koshien (Japanese High School Baseball Championship) in Japan, tactical baseball has been developed from high school age, hasn’t it?When there are no outs and a runner is on base, immediately bunt to advance the runner. Once the runner reaches third base, execute a squeeze play. That’s the general idea.On the other hand, in Taiwan, promising future players all go to America in their teens. There, they learn a more individualistic style of Baseball, and then return to their home country to implement what they’ve learned.It’s not about which is good or bad, but sometimes you can perceive the fundamental differences in the foundation.

── Has Coach Furukubo’s coaching style changed?

Of course.I am learning every day.If the foundation is different, the method of practice is also different.Moreover, times are changing rapidly, aren’t they?It’s no longer sufficient to just coach based on the experiences I’ve cultivated as a player.The world of Baseball today is not Hyuma Hoshi’s world, you see (laughs).Even so, the passion to train athletes diligently and make them stronger remains unchanged.

TEXT: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS)