Professional baseball commissioner Sakakibara Sadanobu (榊原定征) will leave office at the end of November, and Iijima Akimi (飯島彰己), former president of Mitsui & Co., has been earmarked to become the 16th commissioner. Following his departure, Sakakibara Sadanobu (榊原定征) will become an adviser to NPB effective 2 December.
Professional baseball commissioner Sakakibara Sadanobu (榊原定征), 83, will leave office at the end of November, when his second term ends, it emerged on the 16th. Iijima Akimi (飯島彰己), 75, a former president and current adviser of Mitsui & Co., has been earmarked to become the 16th commissioner. Iijima Akimi (飯島彰己)'s international experience is said to have led to his nomination from among several candidates.
After leaving office, Sakakibara Sadanobu (榊原定征) is scheduled to become an adviser to NPB effective 2 December, and is expected to lead discussions on reforms to professional baseball's Central and Pacific Leagues next season, as well as securing funding. He is said to have worked to advance the development of the baseball world.