Emperor Naruhito watches Ohtani and Japan survive scare against Australia at World Baseball Classic

Masataka Yoshida’s late home run triggered a comeback win for Japan over Australia at the World Baseball Classic on Sunday, with Emperor Naruhito made a rare appearance.

The underdog Aussies struck first in the sixth inning of the group stage game when outfielder Aaron Whitefield came home after a throwing error by Japan’s catcher, Kenya Wakatsuki. But in the seventh, Yoshida connected with a two-run shot over right centre field. Japan put on two more insurance runs in the eighth, and hung on for the 4-3 victory.

Shohei Ohtani, who had homered in the prior two games in the tournament, failed to make an impact on Sunday in front of an adoring crowd at the Tokyo Dome. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar was in a prime spot to do damage when he came up to bat with the bases loaded in the third inning, but Shugo Maki was picked off by Australian catcher Robbie Perkins for the third out.

A global sporting spectacle now in its sixth incarnation since it started in 2006, the WBC is a showcase of national pride in Japan, with the nation consistently fielding their best players and leading all other nations with three championships.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Princess Aiko and Empress Masako are seen on the screen after Sunday’s game. Photograph: Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP/Getty Images

Signifying that importance, Emperor Naruhito watched the game from a box over home plate – the first time a sitting Japanese monarch has attended a professional baseball game since 1966, according to the Yomiuri newspaper. He was joined by Empress Masako and Princess Aiko. The emperor turned 66 just a few weeks ago and has been focusing his attention on remembering the 15th anniversary of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster on 11 March 2011, that killed nearly 20,000 people in northern Japan.

The tournament, which is taking place across Tokyo, Puerto Rico, Houston and Miami, brings together 20 national teams competing in round-robin pools before the top two from each group advance to the quarter-finals.

After beating Taiwan and South Korea in Pool C, Japan were already assured a ticket to go on to the knockout stages in Miami. Australia can qualify if they beat Korea in their final group game.

Samurai Japan are the defending WBC champions after beating the United States in the 2023 final and the two teams are the favourites to meet in this year’s final.