People Who Continue to Grow — My Thoughts on Sota Fujii and Shohei Ohtani— July 1, 2026 (Wed), Reiwa 8

I was only able to read two newspapers yesterday, either the Asahi Shimbun or the Ehime Shimbun. In one of them, there was an article about Sota Fujii, the Meijin title holder.

Can he still simply be called a “Meijin”? In his recent title match, he was pushed to the very edge but still managed to win. He is only 23 years old, and it has already been 10 years since his professional debut. The place he has reached already feels unimaginably distant.

I have always thought he was an extraordinary person. However, his voice is often so soft that it is difficult to hear, and sometimes he uses words I do not even understand. I have often found myself wondering, “What kind of upbringing led him to become this kind of person?”

I do not understand the game of shogi itself. Even so, I am strongly drawn to him as a person. His way of being in the world of competition, and the quiet depth in his words, somehow continue to draw me in.

What I respect most is his humility. He never gets angry, and no matter how much he is praised as a genius or for his achievements, he simply says, “There is still much for me to learn.”

His words may differ in expression, but they always seem to point in the same direction: there is still room to grow, still things to learn.

Even someone like him—already standing near the very top of his field—continues to say at the age of 23 that he is “still not there yet.” I am deeply struck by that pure and sincere attitude toward shogi.

The other person I think of is Shohei Ohtani.

He is so famous that he appears in the news almost every day. He has become a national hero and a global star. Rather than being something special, he almost feels like part of everyday life now.

However, I once read an article that left a strong impression on me. It said that in professional sports—and perhaps in other fields as well—people who gain great wealth often fail afterward. Gambling, luxury cars, and relationships are common ways in which some lose their way.

But Ohtani seems to have little interest in such things. He does not appear interested in gambling, he prioritizes rest, and I have heard that he sleeps for extremely long hours.

In terms of relationships, he is said to deeply cherish his wife, and there is no sense that he is interested in pursuing other women.

Regarding cars, he may own good ones, but he does not seem to flaunt them or collect them as status symbols.

Another memorable episode is when he gave gifts—reportedly luxury watches from Seiko, a brand he is associated with—to all staff members, including cleaning staff, before the start of a season.

Rather than promoting Western luxury brands such as Rolex, he seems to choose Japanese brands and quietly elevate their value instead.

I also remember reading about how, when he played in Japan, posters of him covered the entire city, and even convenience store products such as rice balls featured his image. His teammates reportedly said, “This is not normal.”

Another striking impression is when he became the face of the cosmetics brand DECORTÉ. Posters filled Tokyo, and it felt as if the entire country was covered with his presence. With his consistent sleep habits, his skin is also remarkably healthy and clear, which makes the choice of that brand feel very fitting.

In the end, baseball seems to be at the center of his life, and everything else remains secondary.

It was not just advertising—it felt as if one person had become part of the landscape of society itself.

What connects both Fujii and Ohtani, in my view, is that neither of them displays any sense of “I have already done enough.”

Instead, they both seem to always look forward: “There is still more to do,” “There is still more to learn,” “There is still more to improve.”

For anyone, the moment we think “this is enough,” growth stops.

I am 67 years old and just an ordinary person, but even so, I still feel a desire to keep learning, even a little.

They already have more than enough wealth and success, yet they continue to aim higher. That attitude deeply moves me.

If possible, I hope they continue living this way as they grow older, always reaching for higher ground.

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