A new book of testimony by Kise Masanori (喜瀬雅則) is now available. Based on reporting spanning 22 years, it examines the 2004 reorganization of Japanese professional baseball and portrays the behind-the-scenes story of SoftBank's acquisition of the Hawks, as well as the full scope of the massive money game.
The events surrounding the 2004 reorganization of Japanese professional baseball are brought to light through 22 years of reporting. The article focuses on the moves surrounding promotional rights involving foreign-owned interests and how vast sums of money changed hands.
It covers the full story of the four-hour private meeting between Watanabe Tsuneo (渡辺恒雄) and Son Masayoshi (孫正義), as well as a proposed merger that never materialized and would have involved Daiei, Lotte and Seibu, portraying the power struggle and the competing interests of the companies.
It also focuses on manager Oh Sadaharu's (王貞治) resolve and his determination to maintain an approach centered on winning as long as games are being played.
The author is said to have brought the first report to an economic newspaper while covering Orix for Sankei Sports, then pursued the truth through reporting spanning 22 years.