Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Saturday, December 14, 2024 72° Today's Paper


Ohtani visits U.S. Embassy in Japan, his dog gets mock visa

ASSOCIATED PRESS
                                Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani answers questions during a baseball news conference at Dodger Stadium on Dec. 14.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani answers questions during a baseball news conference at Dodger Stadium on Dec. 14.

Shohei Ohtani visited the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, where Ambassador Rahm Emanuel presented the new Los Angeles Dodgers star with a supersized visa for his dog.

Emanuel posted photos of the visit on social media today, with the embassy saying it occurred recently when Ohtani was back in Japan.

Emanuel and Ohtani posed with a replica visa for the player’s dog, Decoy. It shows a photo of the dog, whose Japanese name is Dekopin, and gives his birth date as “dog years” and shows the canine has dual American and Japanese citizenry.

“Thrilled to meet trailblazing two-time MLB MVP Ohtani-san again,” Emanuel posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Maybe next time I’ll be fortunate enough to meet his MVPup, Decoy.”

Emanuel previously met Ohtani at the U.S. Embassy in March 2023, when the two-way player was with the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani signed a $700 million, 10-year deal to join the Dodgers in December.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.