On September 17, Fukuoka Softbank clinched the 2026 Persol Pacific League championship, achieving their first three consecutive titles in 60 years. A press conference was held after the game, attended by manager Hiroki Kokubo, player association chairman Ryoya Kurihara, pitcher Ryosuke Otsu, and player Tomoya Masaki. The Q&A session with Kurihara, Otsu, and Masaki is as follows.

"A season where I also learned about my immaturity and misery" - Player Representative Ryoya Kurihara looks back on this season

--What are your honest feelings right now?

"I'm happy, of course. It was a season where many things happened, but I'm glad we were able to win the championship like this."

--When you say many things happened, what comes to mind for you, Kurihara?

"It was a season where I learned about my own immaturity and my shortcomings as a person."

--Winning the championship in your position as player representative. I imagine the taste is completely different from previous years.

"For me, this is my 30th year, my 12th year. It was a season where I wanted to change things in a different way than before, and that's why I accepted the role of player representative. Being able to win the championship in that context makes me feel like it has been a fulfilling season."

--Looking at the numbers, you've set many personal bests. Do you feel like you contributed to the championship?

"Regarding home runs and RBIs, I believe those directly lead to scoring and team victories. I'm very happy, but there are still many veterans who have left even greater records than mine, so I hope to get closer to those records."

--Setting significant records while serving as player representative. What was the factor behind this?

"The biggest thing was the physical aspect; I think the fact that I was able to play without any major injuries or concerns this year was the most important factor."

--What was the presence of Kondo, who bats before you, like?

"He was an incredibly large presence. I've never had so many situations where he was given an intentional walk right in front of me before my turn at bat. I played while feeling a great sense of responsibility, and it was a season where I got to see Kondo's greatness up close."

--Perhaps the influence of Kondo also led to your numbers growing dramatically.

"Looking at various things, I'm standing at the plate with significantly more runners on base than Kondo-san, so I want to express my gratitude for that."

--If you had to pick one personally memorable scene?

"Wouldn't it be the two errors in the opening game? I can't forget the manager's expression at the time of that second one."

"A Good Relationship" - Is Yugo Maeda, the junior, also behind Ryosuke Otsu's success?

-- The fourth season. Winning while maintaining a spot in the rotation since the opening, what does it taste like for pitcher Otsu?

"It's the third year since converting to a starter, and since I intended to fight through the year with personal determination this year, I'm glad I was able to pitch through the season in very good condition."

-- Experiencing double-digit wins for the first time. Do you feel that you were able to contribute to this year's win?

"I think I might be contributing a little, and since I'm with a great junior like Yugo Maeda, I'm being allowed to work in a good environment while maintaining a good relationship within the team."

-- This year's success was influenced by the performance of pitcher Yugo Maeda.

"That is certainly one factor."

-- Does Yugo Maeda's performance lead to your own good pitching?

"Regarding Yugo, I see him practicing, so even with these results, it doesn't feel strange at all. There are still games left, so I want to fight through to the end with the entire starting rotation, not just the two of us."

-- What points do you feel you have grown in?

"Regarding this year, it was also a year where a sense of responsibility was born, so I think that was very good."

-- Looking back on this year, what is the most memorable scene?

"The game of my first professional shutout game comes to mind first."

Tomoya Masaki aims for a 'new image of a number one player' as the Sendai match becomes a turning point.

--The 5th season, the taste of this year's championship

"It was my first time being able to play from the first half of the season and stay all the way through the second half, so in that sense, it was a truly happy championship for me personally."

--Last year you suffered a major injury. This year's championship must feel even more real

"When we won last year, I was watching on TV and I had a strong desire to be standing in that spot myself. Since it was a frustrating season due to the injury, I'm glad I was able to play with a strong determination to definitely stay in the lineup for the full year this time."

--Wonderful batting since mid-May. You also broke the club record for lead-off home run and established yourself as the number one hitter

"I was surprised when I first heard I'd be the lead-off hitter, but I was able to do it for a year with a fresh feeling, and it was also significant that I could play with the mindset of creating a new image for a lead-off hitter. Also, since there were many amazing hitters behind me, I think the desire to connect the game to them led to good results."

--Even until the end, you continue to show Masaki-like batting that doesn't let any fatigue be felt. What is the secret?

"This is the first time I've played in so many games, and in truth, there is a lot of fatigue. However, I didn't play for the first month or so, and I was able to do it with the feeling that I would definitely go until the end without getting injured this year. Also, I think the biggest factor was that I spent all of last year in rehab, where I trained hard and strengthened my body."

--What is the scene of your own performance that comes to mind first this season?

"The game against Rakuten Eagles in Sendai, which the manager mentioned earlier and was my very first promotion, left the strongest impression. I made an error on my very first defense opportunity and then struck out on three pitches in my next at-bat. I think being able to switch my mindset and hit a home run in the following at-bat showed how I've grown, and since I was able to ride the momentum from there, I think that game was truly my turning point."