On June 12th, Franmil Reyes, a player for Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, received a Merit Award from the Dominican Republic Embassy in Japan. He is the first baseball player to receive this award. So why did the Dominican Republic Embassy decide to honor Reyes? And what does this mean for both countries? We asked Edward Aníbal Pérez Reyes, the Dominican Republic Ambassador to Japan.

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In his first year in Japan, Reyes hit 25 Home Run, and the following year he won two titles with 32 Home Run and 90 RBI. This year, his third year, he has shown not only power but also consistency with a league-leading batting average of .327 (as of July 24). However, Ambassador Perez praised more than just his statistics.

"This award is not simply given to great players. Reyes is a player who has a deep understanding of Japanese culture and approaches it with sincerity. Not only in terms of his performance, but also in aspects outside of playing, he is a role model, and we presented him with this award because we wanted more people in the Dominican Republic to know about his attitude and see him as a player they can look up to and say, 'I want to be a player like him.'"

Players who adapt to life in a foreign land and excel are a source of pride and hope for the people of their home countries. Furthermore, the existence of such players has a significant impact on the development of baseball in both Japan and the Dominican Republic.

Over 180 players from the Dominican Republic have played in NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) in the 55 years since 1971, with more than 50 players in the 2020s alone. Ambassador Perez said that this increasing trend is due to the success of past players.

"I believe that the actions of previous players, including their playing style and character, have built trust. Dominican Republic players have also come to appreciate the attractiveness of Japanese professional baseball, such as its conditions and high level of competition. Thanks to the players who have come before us, Japanese teams have come to think, 'We want players like this,' and Dominican Republic players have come to think, 'I want to play in a place like this,' and I think that both sides are now more drawn to each other's appeal."

He's a hero in his home country. We have high hopes for him to become a beloved player in Japan as well.

Ambassador Perez described the Dominican Republic players as having "color," saying they play with respect for baseball and with genuine enjoyment and passion. These players are apparently cherished as "heroes of our town" in their home country.

"For example, many fans supported Reyes even before he became a star, and watched him grow. The Dominican Summer League, where young players gain experience, involves a lot of travel, and when players go to different locations, local fans watch over the developing players. Also, in the off-season Winter League, fans cheer on players who performed well in the Summer League, and they can also see players who have returned from MLB or Japan."

Supported by fans in their home country, the players are fighting hard in Japan. What are Ambassador Perez's expectations of them?

"I've been seeing Dominican Republic players on TV more and more, and I feel like I'm getting closer to them. Many talented players are coming to Japan, so I hope they all succeed."

Regarding Reyes, I hope that not only he, but the team as a whole, will win the championship. When I paid courtesy visits to various places in Sapporo, I promised the mayor of Sapporo, the mayor of Kitahiroshima, and the governor of Hokkaido that "if The Fighters win the championship, let's have a fun celebration at ES CON FIELD or in Sapporo." I hope that will come true.

Finally, a message from Ambassador Perez to Japanese professional baseball fans.

"This year marks the 92nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Dominican Republic and Japan, and the 70th anniversary of Japanese immigration to the Dominican Republic. Over this long period, we have deepened our relationship with each other. baseball has played a role in bridging that history. There are people in the Dominican Republic who like Japanese baseball, and there are people in Japan who like Dominican Republic players."

I hope that people will learn about Dominican Republic culture through baseball, and I would be delighted if they would come to the Dominican Republic to watch baseball. Besides baseball, the Dominican Republic also has many tourist attractions such as beautiful beaches and mountains. I hope that people will learn more about our country, and I would like to provide many opportunities for that to happen."

Interview and text by Yuna Takahashi