Japanese citizens have a strong aversion to gambling, making the sports gambling scandal involving baseball star Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, particularly shocking. Despite Mizuhara’s initial claims that Ohtani paid his gambling debts, Ohtani has denied any involvement in illegal betting. Japanese media is reluctant to criticize Ohtani, viewing him as a victim who was misled by his interpreter.
In Japan, gambling remains illegal, with very limited exceptions compared to the U.S. where sports betting is legal in many states. Even arcade games like Pachinko have seen a decline in popularity. However, the Japanese government has recognized the potential for revenue generation by legalizing certain forms of gambling.
Ohtani is seen as a symbol of perfection in Japan, known for his humility and dedication to baseball. Japanese reporters have refrained from probing into Ohtani’s personal life, making the scandal surrounding him and Mizuhara even more surprising. The media has instead relied on American reporters, like the Los Angeles Times’ Dylan Hernández, for insights into the scandal.
Although Mizuhara has now backtracked on his claims, the incident has raised questions among Japanese fans and reporters. Ohtani continues to play for the Dodgers amidst investigations by federal authorities and MLB. In Japan, Ohtani’s story is front-page news, with some comparing the coverage to a presidential election. The scandal is seen as a major disruption in Ohtani’s otherwise flawless image and the Japanese public is following the developments closely.
Source
Photo credit www.latimes.com
