What Happened When Otani Glared at Japanese Reporters... At the Dodgers' Victory Scene?

Video Refusing Domestic Broadcast Interview Uploaded on SNS
Fuji TV Banned from Reporting on Ohtani's LA Mansion

The LA Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States won the World Series for the first time in four years, and Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani (30) was captured with an angry expression directed at the Japanese press.

On October 31, when the Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees to win the championship, a screenshot and video of Ohtani with an angry face toward the Japanese Fuji TV reporters were posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The video shows Ohtani sharing the joy of victory with team officials with a bright expression, but his face stiffens when Fuji TV reporters approach and speak to him. He then turns his back on the reporters and walks past them, while the reporters leave with awkward expressions.

As of the afternoon of the 2nd, the video had been viewed more than 42 million times on X alone.

This unexpected reaction from Ohtani, who is known not only for his outstanding baseball skills but also for his mature character, has attracted attention.

Shohei Ohtani appears to refuse an interview with Fuji TV reporters [Image source= X (formerly Twitter)]

Fuji TV, which was refused an interview this time, had previously covered Ohtani’s LA mansion in detail last May. ‘DodgerNation,’ which mainly reports Dodgers news, pointed out in June that “the Fuji TV report included aerial views of the residence and interviews with neighbors.” Concerns were raised that this coverage could pose risks to Ohtani and his wife.

In response, the LA Dodgers organization banned Fuji TV from reporting in July, and Ohtani’s management company had also previously prohibited the broadcast of past footage. Nevertheless, Fuji TV apparently requested an interview with Ohtani but was rejected.

A netizen named A, who posted the video, said, “If you interview Ohtani’s father or recklessly cover his newlywed home, it would make him angry and bewildered. You shouldn’t make him show such an expression when he has achieved his wish.”

Other netizens also expressed understanding of Ohtani’s behavior, saying things like, “If Ohtani shows that kind of expression, there must be a problem,” and “They should have reported while respecting his privacy.”

Meanwhile, the Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 4-1 in the World Series, which ended on September 30 (local time), winning their eighth World Series title overall.

At the Dodgers’ victory celebration held on the 1st, Ohtani attended with his wife, Tanaka Mamiko, and their dog, Dekopin, saying, “I was overwhelmed by the number of fans gathered here. It was truly an amazing year, and I am very happy to have been able to contribute.”