Overview
- The January tournament began at Ryogoku after the dohyo ceremony, with all sessions sold out and Day 8 on Jan. 18 designated for rare imperial attendance.
- Focus falls on the health of yokozuna Daieisho and Hoshoryu and on 21-year-old new ozeki An Seikin’s top-division debut campaign.
- The Chicago Cubs reached agreement with third baseman Alex Bregman on a five-year, $175 million contract, joining a roster that includes Japanese players Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga.
- Kasuma Okamoto held a news conference after moving from the Yomiuri Giants to MLB’s Blue Jays via the posting system, outlining a steady approach for his first season abroad.
- The national high school soccer final was set for Jan. 12 at National Stadium, with Kamimura Gakuen and Kashima Gakuen meeting in pursuit of a first title, while karuta crowns at Omi Jingu went to returning meijin Masayoshi Kawase and defending queen Seira Yajima.