*This article was written before the third game began.

19 Nomura Hiroyuki

----Could you tell us your thoughts on the Chinese Taipei game up to this point?

Nomura: Our team mood is really great. It might be because a lot of players are around the same age, but everyone's in a great mood. Nomura:

----We heard that Shima stood in front of everybody on the first day and said 'Let's not have any strange seniority walls here.'

Nomura: That's right. Shima did say that? I think it was a big statement for us.

----What's your impression of your opponent's style of baseball?

Nomura: More than I realized, it's pretty similar to Japanese baseball. But there's power in it. They're big guys and come out swinging hard. I also felt that support from Taiwan fans was pretty amazing. Really surprised yesterday during that last inning. There were a lot of players shocked by the really loud cheering over the mic.

----Where do you think the strength of Japanese baseball lies?

Nomura: I feel it's in things like agility and perseverance.

---- So do players also feel more motivated with the top team's manager staying the same?

Nomura: Yep, more motivated. Because Kokubo is still going to be the manager in four years. We probably are always aware of his presence and all domestic games can be seen as a chance to show our stuff. I would definitely like to be a representative again in four years.

29 Yasuhiro Ogawa

---- Please go over what's happened so far.

Ogawa: I'm here getting to play baseball with all these other great players, and there's a lot that I can learn, even as a person, so every day teaches me something new. I hope that this experience will help me both next year and four years from now at the WBC.

---- The team atmosphere seems really positive.

Ogawa: Yeah, it is. When we play, we play. When we rest, we rest. So there's definitely that kind of contrast. I think it's a really positive good team. Shima told everyone to get rid of seniority issues right at the start. You know, I'm still on the lower end, so I'm glad he said that. Shima also talks more and more to us individually, and I got to have a conversation with him, so I was pretty happy.

----You were given the mound in the first game. How was that?

Ogawa: Well, the grounds and the nighttime lighting are totally different than in Japan, and the crowd was on their side. There was the pressure of being given the first game, one which we definitely wanted to win. In the first inning, that all worked on the wrong side of things and I was hurrying the ball out… Really that first inning, I was more nervous than any game during the pennant race… But I was able to regain composure and pitch from the second inning onward. I feel like it was a valuable experience to find a way to pitch in the middle of that extreme pressure.

---- What's your impression of manager Kokubo?

Ogawa: He told me 'I appreciate you coming after taking a year's rotation and fighting all season.' I didn't think I'd get to hear the manager tell me anything like that… I was happy, and also completely grateful that I was chosen this time. It's a great learning opportunity to play for manager Kokubo and I feel like I gained a great experience.

43 Daichi Osera

----What do you think of the Chinese Taipei series up to this point?

Osera: At first, maybe it was the overall flow or what I should do, but I didn't really understand what was going on. Of course I was really nervous, but then once the game started, I felt like I was really able to play baseball in a good atmosphere with everyone. Pre-game rituals are different in college and the pros, and since I'm going to be a pro starting next year, I'm really glad that I got to get used to this situation a step earlier.

---- An international game as a top team. Feel anything in particular?

Osera: I played in an international game in college, too, but the mood was totally different once you're up on that mound, compared to international games I played before. The cheering, too, was way beyond anything in the international games I've played in up to this point. Way more intense than I could imagine. But I'll have to play baseball in those conditions from now on, so getting to pitch in that environment is nothing but good experience for me. I feel like I have to put this to good use in my baseball career from now on.

---- You certainly do have incredible experience before becoming a pro.

Osera: I know, right. I'm grateful for it. Everyone is really good to me too… Shima even said 'no strange seniority issues', which made things easy on me and allowed me to be myself. The team atmosphere is good. It's like there's a good tension hanging, but you can still relax.

---- You want to wear this uniform again in four years?

Osera: Of course, you know. I was chosen this time around, so I'd like to succeed as a pro and keep working steadily and hopefully be called up again to represent Japan.

52 Naoya Masuda

---- Looking back, how was this outing?

Masuda: It was really a good atmosphere to play in. There were a lot of players I spoke to for the first time, but everyone was friendly. For me, there were a lot of players my age, so it was particularly easy to just go out and play.

---- How was the unique Taiwanese game atmosphere?

Masuda: They were crazy passionate, so we definitely felt that we were playing away. But for me, I felt more away during the Japan World Series, so I guess that means, it didn't really bother me.

---- Please tell us your goals and motivation from here on out.

Masuda: Kokubo will be the manager again in four years, and we have the opportunity to be seen by the same manager, so I'm much more motivated. I'd like to think he's keeping it in mind that he choose me in the first place. I want to be chosen again in four years no matter what, so I'm looking to get good experience through these build-up games and make a good impression for myself. If I can make everything work when the time comes in four years, that'd be great.

27 Ginjiro Sumitani

---- Looking back on this road trip, what are your thoughts?

Sumitani: Well, with all the younger players, we definitely had some energy, in the team. I think the mood was perfect. We definitely came to win, so everyone thinks 'must win', but we weren't overwhelmed by any false pressure.

---- Is there anything you felt concerning Chinese Taipei?

Sumitani: I was able to experience a WBC game with them in March, but I felt like that team had a lineup for stringing hits together. They would always be aiming for right and stuff. I didn't see that kind of slyness this time around, but they certainly have power. They can crush those soft inside pitches, slightly outside balls, high change-ups. If they get good wood on it, it just goes flying.

---- Your goals for the future…

Sumitani: Of course, I'd love to be chosen again in four years. So, I'll be working during the season to show what I can do.

32 Hideto Asamura

----Please reflect on this road trip.

Asamura: The team mood was really good, you know. Very good.

----Anything you felt about the opposition's style of baseball?

Asamura: They really come out swinging, don't they. A big hitter can come at anyplace in their lineup from 1 to 9. Felt like we needed to defend every pitch carefully and keep an aggressive stance.

---- Is there anything you focus on for an international game?

Asamura: All the pitchers are ones we have almost no data on and are facing for the first time, so it's important to be ready to swing at any soft strike. That's my attitude during the season too, but I feel that this proactive stance facing pitchers is important in international games too.

38 Keisuke Okazaki

---- What do you think about how things went up to this point?

Okazaki: The good thing about international games I guess, is that you get to experience a unique atmosphere. I've experienced a lot of loud cheering in college and as an adult, but it was far greater, the cheering in Taiwan… Well, they are using microphones, so (laughs). When we were at bat, there was absolutely no cheering, we felt completely isolated, which I think is also a good experience. Either having experienced this atmosphere or not experiencing it makes a big difference during a crucial game. I think the actual WBC games will be a bigger challenge for feeling 'away' too.

---- When everyone got together on the first day, you said you were 'extremely nervous.' What was the team atmosphere like?

Okazaki: I was really nervous at the beginning… (smirks). But after spending a few days together and playing games, the kind of wall between pros and amateurs did start to fall away. It's nice to have that barrier break down as much as it has, so honestly, I'd like to be here with everyone for longer.

----Please tell us your thoughts about the permanent establishment of 'Samurai Japan' as a pro/amateur conglomerate team.

Okazaki: Without a doubt, amateurs' motivation is going to increase. Because, for those at the top of the amateur leagues, there's a chance to be called up to a top team. Maybe I was chosen this time, but it could be someone else next time, so I really feel like working hard to make sure that choose me every time. I'd like them to think 'he's got a lot of international game experience, so let's choose him' This time was 3 games, but it's still valuable international experience

---- Once you're back with your team, do you think a lot of people will ask you 'What was 'Samurai Japan' like!?'

Okazaki: Oh yeah, they'll ask me, I'm sure. Because everyone's interested in it. Not only my teammates, but I think a lot of people connected to baseball will be pretty interested. So, I do want to communicate the value of this experience to the general public. Also, even though I'm just telling people, I can't start playing badly, so I'll have to keep raising my game so that I'm called again next time.

6 Sho Nakata

----Taking a look back, what are your thoughts?

Nakata: We were overwhelmed by the cheering of the Taiwanese fans. Especially when Dai (Yang) came to the plate, we were surprised by the cheering. 'Wow, he's a Taiwan superstar' is something that we realized quickly. We had a good team feeling and got to play a really fun game.

---- Tell us your thoughts about the permanent establishment of 'Samurai Japan.'

Nakata: The fact that Kokubo will be the manager again in four years really raises player motivation. Every player started thinking 'I'll make you pick me as a representative in four years' pretty early on. Especially the players who were chosen this time around. I think it's really great system they have.

---- Shima said, 'As things go on, there will be many members changing in and out, but I expect some core people to be chosen each time. Those guys will be the ones to communicate the crucial 'Samurai Japan' spirit created here to all the new guys.

Nakata: Well, I'm not sure whether I'll be chosen or not next time based on how I did this time… (smirks). But I would like to represent Japan again, and what Shima said is absolutely right, isn't it. That kind of building up of tradition will be really crucial.

---- What would say are the strengths of Japanese baseball, the weapons?

Nakata: I definitely thing that stringing hits together is a strength. We have batters who can get a big hit, but we also have guys who can keep that going. We also have a lot of good runners. I feel like that's probably Japan's greatest strength in baseball.

9 Yoshihiro Maru

---- How was the road trip this time around?

Maru: Really good learning experience. This was the first time for me to play baseball in a country other than Japan, so I felt that a lot of things are pretty difficult. Things other than baseball, too.

----What kind of thing, for example?

Maru: Well, time for example. Things often don't go exactly as scheduled. Meals and stuff, too, aren't the same as in Japan, obviously. As for the cheering of the other team's fans, the fans at Spring Koshien were more passionate, so I wasn't really that surprised. Koshien really is amazing, especially when you're out there in right field…

---- Naturally, you'll be looking to join again in four years.

Maru: Of course. I think if I can get my season performance up there, then there's better possibility that I'll end up being picked. I'm going to work every day like it's a tryout.

2013 BASEBALL CHALLENGE Japan vs Chinese Taipei
Samurai Japan Player and Coach Comments (Coach Section)