Ohtani again wins MVP and Japanese newspapers print more special editions to mark history

TOKYO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is going to save the newspaper industry in Japan — singlehandedly.

The Japanese and Los Angeles Dodgers superstar won his third Most Valuable Player award, this time picking up his first MVP in the National League. He'd already won two in the American League — in 2021 and 2023 — playing with the Los Angeles Angels.

The award triggered Japanese newspapers to print special editions, given out on Friday morning in central Tokyo. Japan is 14 hours ahead of New York and the east coast of the United States.

“Every year Ohtani has set records that probably no one else can break,” Yoshio Inoue, a student, said while getting his copy.

This comes less than a month after Ohtani and the Dodgers won the World Series, which also prompted the special editions that are fought over as collectors' items.

Several newspapers offered their own renditions, but every one highlighted “MVP” in large letters and an image of Ohtani in Dodgers blue. Ohtani grew up in rural northern Japan where is deeply revered.

“I was reading the newspaper thinking he's amazing,” said Yuko Shimamoto. "I'm very happy to have him representing Japan in MLB."

Called “gogai” in Japanese, the single-page editions are a tradition in Japan to mark special events, and are also used to drive newspaper sales. Newspaper readership is sagging in Japan, but stronger than in many other countries.

Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes and 420 points. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani smiles after reaching first base on a single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Seth Halvorsen in the eighth inning of a baseball game Sept. 29, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

A staff member distributes an extra edition of the Sports Hochi newspaper reporting that Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player award, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A staff member distributes an extra edition of the Sports Hochi newspaper reporting that Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player award, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A staff member distributes an extra edition of the Sports Hochi newspaper reporting that Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player award, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A huge screen in Osaka, western Japan shows a news report on Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani winning his third Most Valuable Player award, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

A staff member distributes an extra edition of the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reporting that Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player award, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A person reads an extra edition of the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reporting that Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player award, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A staff member distributes an extra edition of the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reporting that Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player award, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024--

Since 2015, the Agency for Cultural Affairs has designated stories that convey Japan’s culture and traditions through the diverse historical charms and characteristics of various regions as “Japan Heritage.” The agency supports initiatives that comprehensively utilize various tangible and intangible cultural properties essential to telling these stories.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121158770/en/

To promote the unique “stories” of the 104 Japan Heritage sites nationwide to both domestic and international audiences, The “Cross-Media Japan Heritage Promotion Project” (hereafter referred to as “the Project”) has been launched. The Project is undertaking diverse initiatives, including video production and content dissemination, with a particular focus on strengthening outreach to global audiences. As part of this effort, a specially assembled creative team has produced a Japan Heritage promotional video titled “Travel through Our History,” released on the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ official YouTube channel on Friday, November 22, 2024.

Capturing timeless "moments" of cultural properties and landscapes with long histories through photography, highlights from Japan Heritage sites #33, "Mt. Daisen: Japan’s Largest Livestock Market ~Livestock and devotion to Jizo Bodhisattva~" (Tottori Prefecture) and #48, "Izumo: A Land of Myths, Gods, and Sunsets" (Shimane Prefecture) have been beautifully documented in two short films. Each video highlights the captivating aspects of Japan Heritage stories nurtured alongside the enduring history in each region.

Relive the "Stories" of Japan Heritage
A Series of 104 short vertical videos "Japan Heritage Daily" to be released with English subtitles
As part of the Project, a collection of 104 short, vertical videos are being released under the title “Japan Heritage Daily,” designed to provide a quick, immersive experience for smartphone viewers. Each video, approximately 60 seconds long, offers a brief journey through the 104 Japan Heritage sites, allowing viewers to “relive” the experiences awaiting them at each site and discover new insights. Aimed at a broad audience, including younger generations, these engaging vertical shorts provide an approachable way to enjoy Japan Heritage stories.

Currently being released in Japanese, all "Japan Heritage Daily" videos on YouTube will soon feature English subtitles to reach global audiences. By sharing the stories of Japan Heritage with international audiences as well as domestic viewers, we hope to foster awareness of Japan Heritage and further stimulate inbound tourism interest.

"Japan Heritage Daily" (English Subtitled)
Release Date: Sequentially from around January 2025
"Japan Heritage Daily" YouTube Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_ndIdJX38cCvUHOmFdTpeQQ3CwA-fMVG
(on the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ official channel)

Overseas Promotional Video"Travel through Our History"
This remarkable Japan Heritage promotional video, produced by a specially assembled creative team, is based on "capturing the 'moments' of cultural properties and landscapes with long histories through photography." The filming was carried out by a special team formed for the Project. International staff with accolades, such as the Emmy Awards, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and ACC Tokyo Creativity Awards, gathered to showcase Japan Heritage from a foreign perspective in a captivating way.

"Travel through Our History" Video URL: (on the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ official channel)
Daisen:https://youtu.be/xExdT41Yi3g
Izumo:https://youtu.be/tgeCCvS4y4k

About Japan Heritage
"Japan Heritage" is a designation by the Agency for Cultural Affairs for stories that convey Japan's culture and traditions through various regions' historical charms and characteristics. The designation aims to promote regional revitalization by comprehensively developing and utilizing a wealth of captivating tangible and intangible cultural assets, which are essential in talking these stories, with local communities taking the initiative.
Japan Heritage Portal Site: https://www.japan.travel/japan-heritage/

*This press release is distributed by the Project office as part of a commissioned project from the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

"Izumo: A Land of Myths, Gods, and Sunsets" (Photo: Business Wire)

"Mt. Daisen: Japan’s Largest Livestock Market ~Livestock and devotion to Jizo Bodhisattva~" (Photo: Business Wire)