"I visited there once → chewing gum and crossing my arms." The controversy over Murakami's attitude was flustered

*This content was translated by AI.

The Japanese king visited the stadium, and Japan, the "defending champion," headed to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in a good mood with all four wins. Everything seemed to go smoothly, but one player's behavior is causing controversy.

Japanese media Friday Digital said on the 12th, "Samurai Japan held an emergency meeting due to the controversy over the arm of Murakami Munetaka (26, Chicago White Sox) in a game visited by the Emperor."

The match against Australia at Tokyo Dome on the 8th had special meaning for Japanese players as well. This is because it was the first game in 60 years where the Emperor visited the stadium and cheered.

Murakami moved to the White Sox through posting ahead of this season as the main character of Japan's pure single-season home run (56).

Murakami, who was already in a slump, raised controversy over his attitude in this important game. The Emperor's family visited the scene and watched the game with commentary from former coach Hideki Kuriyama and applauded the winning national team players.

The team, including manager Hirokazu Ibata and national team ace Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers), watched it and clapped on the ground or bowed their heads and made an example.

Murakami was different. According to the media, only Murakami was chewing gum with his arms crossed. Related videos have spread online, and Internet users have become heated debates, such as "It's the height of disrespect" and "Didn't anyone give the Lord's?"

Murakami was also confirmed to be clapping, but the fact that the broadcast camera captured Murakami's arm in arms for more than 10 seconds raised the issue. The media said, "As a result, it became inexcusable evidence," and added, "It may not have been intentional, but it was an act that should not be done by a national team member with a Japanese flag on his chest."

The national team was embarrassed. According to the media, unofficially, there were complaints from sponsors and others that "that's a little too much." The staff, who took the situation seriously, immediately gathered players and officials to deliver an emergency notice.

An official said, "All of your actions are being communicated around the world through media and fans' SNS. "Please be aware of yourself as a national team and pay special attention to your attitude in public places such as fan service when traveling on the bus," he told the players.

This caution did not specify Murakami, but it was actually the same. According to the media, "There is a rumor among the players that they laughed bitterly, saying, 'It is a sound aimed at Mune (Murakami) no matter who sees it.' "There was an unusual situation in which the national team players were lectured," he explained.

South Korea has also been embroiled in controversy over its attitude at international competitions in recent years. He also faced more excessive criticism than necessary due to his disappointing performance.

Murakami is also expected to become more mature. Did this mistake lead to the mindset of doing better. Murakami later hit a home run in the match against the Czech Republic and became a leading player. Although there is still an unfavorable gaze, it can be expected that such criticism will gradually calm down if the team performs explosively in the tournament round.

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*This content was translated by AI.