The three Japanese stars on the Los Angeles Dodgers—Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki—generated an estimated ¥132.8 billion in economic impact during the 2025 MLB postseason, according to a recent report. This includes direct revenues from fan spending on tickets and food, broadcasting rights, merchandise sales, and Japanese tours, plus ripple effects.
A report by Kansai University Professor Emeritus Katsuhiro Miyamoto estimates that the three Japanese players on the Los Angeles Dodgers—Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki—generated around ¥132.8 billion in economic impact during the 2025 MLB postseason. This total comprises direct effects of approximately ¥60.6 billion, including ¥35.7 billion in consumer spending by Dodgers fans on game tickets, food, and drinks; ¥19.5 billion from broadcasting rights; ¥700 million from merchandise sales; and another ¥700 million from Japanese tour groups attending the games. Primary and secondary ripple effects account for the remainder.
The Dodgers, powered by these players, secured back-to-back World Series titles. Miyamoto announced the findings on November 12, 2025.
He compared this to his late-August estimate of ¥108.4 billion in nationwide economic impact from the Hanshin Tigers' Central League championship, which involved about 40 players over a full season. “It took the Hanshin Tigers about 40 players and a whole season to generate that much impact. The Dodgers’ three Japanese players did it in just one month. It’s truly astonishing,” Miyamoto said. This highlights the exceptional value these players brought in a short period.
The report attributes the high figure to merchandise sales, broadcasting rights, and the players' popularity, underscoring their role in boosting postseason revenues.