Let's Create Global Peace Through Baseball!

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【Participants Wanted!】Tanzania Koshien Tournament Study Tour 2026

[Press Release] J-ABS Representative Director Shinya Tomonari appointed as head coach of Nigerian national team!

FOUNDER STORY

Story

ストーリー

"Nice ball!"
"Nice catch!"
Every word spoken is imbued with consideration for the other person.
The ball is thrown with a gentle trajectory, making it easy for the opponent to catch.
A time to face each other, talk to each other, and connect on a deeper level.
If this small chain of kindness spread throughout the world,
Prejudice will disappear, and a kind world where we respect one another will surely come.
As we connected with Africa through baseball, we realized something.
There is definitely "the power of baseball" there.
The power to convey the spirit of democracy: that everyone has the right to step up to the plate.
The power to grow as a person by learning the values of "discipline," "respect," and "justice."
And it is the power to transcend conflict and division, to unite the hearts of nations, and to create peace.
The power of baseball could become a source of hope for change in Africa.
And that hope will eventually become a light that illuminates Japan's future.
Using the power of baseball, we will create a shared future for Africa and Japan.
With that wish in our hearts, we continue our game of catch with Africa today.
Let's bring peace to the world through playing catch.
Entrusting the future to that one pitch.

J-ABS Initiatives

"Developing people through baseball"

J-ABS contributes to human resource development in various African countries through its "Baseballership® Education" method, which conveys the spirit of baseball.
Furthermore, we are giving back the results of our efforts to Japanese society.
*The Way of Baseball = Japanese baseball culture that conveys values such as "discipline," "respect," and "justice."

Africa 55
Koshien
project

corporate training

Lecture

Supporting Japanese businesses in Africa

創業者メッセージ

Japan-Africa Baseball and Softball Foundation (J-ABS)
President

Shinya Tomonari

profile.pdf(718 KB)

Founder's Message

"Everyone gets an equal chance to step up to bat. I like baseball because it's democratic."

In 1999, a single remark from a young baseball player in Ghana marked the starting point of everything. I wanted to give boys, girls, and young people living in harsh environments the chance to stand in the batter's box. That was the dream of spreading baseball in Africa. To realize this dream, in 2003, we established the NPO Africa Baseball Friends Association, and since 2020, as the Japan African Baseball and Softball Promotion Foundation (J-ABS), we have been expanding our activities in cooperation with baseball and softball federations in various African countries. In Tanzania, where baseball was virtually nonexistent, baseball and softball have spread under the slogan of "Discipline, Respect, and Justice." In South Sudan, a conflict zone, we have been nurturing individuals who will contribute to a peaceful society through baseball. Africa comprises 55 countries and territories. Our goal is for baseball and softball, still extremely minor sports, to become "normal" across this vast African continent. And to nurture people, promote the sport, and become a bridge between Japan and Africa. "Bringing peace to the world through catchball." As fellow inhabitants of this planet, we believe that by deepening communication and using the "power of baseball," we can create a better future for Africa, Japan, and the world. Africa Baseball & Softball Promotion Organization (J-ABS) Representative Director Shinya Tomonari

J-ABSエグゼクティブ・ドリームパートナー

J-ABS Executive Dream Partner

Message from Hideki Matsui

I heard that there are young people in Africa who are chasing the white ball with the goal of going to "Koshien,"
I was deeply moved.

Hello everyone, this is Hideki Matsui. I am pleased to announce that I will be supporting the activities of the Africa Baseball and Softball Promotion Foundation. I was born and raised in Japan, and started playing baseball because I dreamed of playing in the Koshien tournament. I was fortunate to meet wonderful coaches and teammates, and had invaluable experiences. The days I spent sweating with my teammates on the field, and the excitement of standing on the Koshien field, are unforgettable memories. Did you know that there is a Koshien in Africa? I was deeply moved to hear that there are young people in Africa chasing the white ball, aiming for Koshien. While it's not yet a popular sport, I was deeply impressed by the vision of expanding the African Koshien tournament and nurturing African youth through baseball. Please watch this video of African children enjoying baseball. They are passionately chasing the ball on a makeshift field, much like something out of the movie "Field of Dreams." My own roots are in the fields of my hometown, where I played baseball with my brother and friends. Knowing that there are children in Africa who share the same dream suddenly makes Africa feel much closer to me. I hope to visit Africa someday. I want to play catch with African boys and girls. I support baseball and softball in Africa. I dream of the day when more and more African boys and girls play baseball and softball, and interact with boys and girls from Japan and other countries. Please join us in supporting them!