From left: Torrance City Councilmember Bridgett Lewis, City Clerk Rebecca Poirier, Councilmember Sharon Kalani, ABC 7’s Rob Fukuzaki, Mayor George Chen, Councilmember Jon Kaji.
By J.K. YAMAMOTO
RAFU STAFF WRITER
TORRANCE – An international Dodgers celebration with participation from fans in Japan was held Nov. 20 at the Mary K. Giordano Regional Transit Center in Torrance.
The Dodgers’ World Series victory was celebrated by Torrance city officials and a crowd of fans wearing Dodger blue and waving thunder sticks, joined via livestream by their counter-parts in Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, Shohei Ohtani’s home-town, and Bizen, Okayama Prefecture, Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s hometown.
The emcee, ABC 7 sportscaster Rob Fukuzaki, was introduced by John La Rock, Torrance’s community services director, as “the first male Japanese American television anchor in Los Angeles” who “was born right here in Torrance.”
Fukuzaki, who noted that the next day would mark his 30th anniversary at KABC, said that he had been waiting to celebrate a World Series win after the Dodgers lost in 2017 and 2018, then won in 2020 but were unable to hold a parade due to the pandemic. After Game 5 of this year’s World Series against the New York Yankees, the Dodgers had “the first parade and rally celebration since 1988.”
“So it was a long time coming, it was a long wait, but it was definitely worth the wait,” Fukuzaki said. “For me, selfishly, I waited 30 years to cover a Dodgers World Series and it finally happened. It was so exciting being in the clubhouse with the champagne and the beer flying around and interviewing the players. You’re just so happy for the players.
“And personally, I’m so happy for (manager) Dave Roberts. Dave has taken a lot of criticism over the years, but … he’s always been there. He got them over the hump. He got up to the top of the mountain.”
Fukuzaki, who was born at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance but was raised in Hawaii, said, “I always felt like Torrance was my home in Southern California, so it’s so good to be back home.”
He also remembered visiting his aunt and uncle in Torrance — both of whom attended the rally — when he was a student at University of La Verne.
The crowd exchanged cheers with the fans in Japan, the North High School varsity cheer team performed, and Oshu Mayor Jun Kuranari and Bizen Mayor Takeshi Yoshimura delivered brief greetings in English.
City Councilmember Jon Kaji, who spearheaded the signing of the friendship city agreements earlier this year, recalled, “Back in January, I think when we first introduced the idea of having friendship cities, no one (here) really knew what’s Bizen, what’s Oshu … I think everyone knows who they are now, and I think we’re all looking forward to creating deeper friendships with our friends in Japan. We’re also looking to inviting their Little League team to visit us here and compete with our Little League team.”
He added that he is looking forward to nine more World Series wins — a reference to Ohtani’s 10-year contract with the Dodgers.
Mayor George K. Chen said, “We appreciate the communities coming out for this incredible celebration of not only baseball, but a powerful connection that fosters across borders, cultures, and communities. Baseball is more than a game. It is a bridge that brings us together. It teaches us about teamwork, perseverance, and the joy of shared victories. And tonight we celebrate those values, not just as fans of the Dodgers, but as members of a global community united by our love for this sport …
“It makes me particularly proud to share this moment with our friends overseas, two remarkable friendship cities in Japan that embody the passion for baseball and the bonds it creates … We are reminded that even across an ocean, our shared love of baseball makes us feel close.”
Also participating in the event were City Councilmembers Bridgett Lewis, Sharon Kalani, Aurelio Mattucci and Dr. Jeremy Gerson, and City Clerk Rebecca Poirier.
“I’d like to thank everyone for being a part of this incredible celebration,” said Fukuzaki, who later did a live shot from the transit center. “I think we can do it again next year. It’s going to be even bigger and better.”