Sports · Baseball · 1 day ago
Lee Seung-yup Says Korean and Japanese Baseball Should Learn From Each Other
Lee Seung-yup, a former star of Korean baseball, is now a batting coach for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.
He says Korean and Japanese baseball should be partners as well as rivals.
In his view, Japan’s detailed preparation and strong professional discipline are worth learning from.
He also says Korean baseball has ideas that interest Japanese players, including its automated ball-and-strike system and KIA player Kim Do-young.
Lee believes Korea is now the challenger, and that learning from Japan could help it compete at the highest level.
He says baseball has helped people in both countries understand one another.
He hopes the two sides will keep sharing useful ideas and growing together.
Lee Seung-yup says Korean and Japanese baseball should be partners that learn from each other, rather than enemies.
The former Doosan Bears manager is now a hitting coach for Japan’s Yomiuri Giants.
He says Korean baseball can learn from Japan’s systems and preparation as it seeks to close the gap between the countries.
He also says Japanese players are interested in Korean baseball, including its automated ball-strike system and player Kim Do-young.
Lee says exchanges through baseball can deepen understanding between the two countries.
- Who
- Lee Seung-yup, a Yomiuri Giants hitting coach, discussed the relationship between Korean and Japanese baseball.
- What
- He said the two countries should learn from each other and grow together.
- When
- The interview was published on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Lee spoke to Yonhap; he is coaching in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants.
- Why
- Lee said the two countries have different strengths, and learning from each other can help Korean baseball compete at the highest level.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
If Japanese baseball in the past was an enemy that had to be beaten at all costs, now it is a partner whose strengths we must learn from in order to reach the top of the world.
Japanese players often ask about the KBO League’s automatic ball-strike system and KIA Tigers player Kim Do-young.
Korean baseball has become the clear challenger as the gap between the two countries’ baseball has widened.
I hope the baseball of both countries will actively learn what is worth learning from each other, boldly discard what should be discarded, and move forward together.
Lee accepted a coaching role with the Yomiuri Giants after leaving the KBO League.
Lee discussed differences between Korean and Japanese baseball and the value of exchange in an interview with Yonhap.
Yonhap published its report on Lee’s views.
- Current role
- Yomiuri Giants hitting coach
- Previous role
- Manager of the Doosan Bears
- Japanese baseball system
- Lee said Korean baseball should learn from its strengths.
- KBO League topics of interest
- Automated ball-strike system and Kim Do-young
- Another topic of interest
- Korea’s Asian quota system
Sources
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