Tigers' championship victory to bring $650m impact across Japan

BOJ, retailers pinning high hopes on Osaka club's first victory in 18 years

Hanshin Tigers Manager Akinobu Okada gets tossed into the air by the team as they celebrate the championship on Thursday. © Kyodo

Nikkei staff writers

September 14, 2023 20:51 JST

OSAKA -- The Hanshin Tigers clinched the Central League title of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball on Thursday for the first time in 18 years, arousing expectations that the victory will spark economic activity bringing in more than $650 million across the country. Osaka, the Kansai region city that serves as the Tigers' base of support, is ecstatic over the victory by the local heroes.