Masaya Yano Speaks After Carp Release: “I Was Happy Every Day I Could Play for the Carp”

Hiroshima Carp infielder Masaya Yano, 27, spoke to reporters at Mazda Stadium on October 1 after being informed that the club would not offer him a contract for the 2027 season.

Yano said the club had strongly emphasized the issue of its relationship of trust with him.

“They strongly emphasized the issue of trust.”

Yano then apologized to the fans and everyone involved with the organization.

“I am truly sorry that my thoughtless actions caused so much concern and trouble for the fans and everyone involved with the club.”

Yano had also been subject to a police search during the period surrounding the controversy. While he was sent to the third-team level to work on his conditioning, he said he had two conflicting feelings.

“Of course, the first thing I wanted to do was apologize. But at the same time, I really wanted to get back out there and play in games, so I kept working hard every day.”

When asked who he most wanted to apologize to, Yano said both the organization and the fans had been affected.

“The fact is that I've caused trouble, so I want to apologize to the club as well as to the fans.”

Reporters also asked whether he wanted to clarify or explain any of the facts surrounding the series of incidents.

Yano said he had nothing further to add beyond what his attorney had already stated publicly.

“As for that, it's the same as what my attorney said previously.”

When asked if there was anything in particular he wanted to deny, he again declined to elaborate.

“There's nothing in particular that I can say from my side. It's just as I said.”

Despite his departure from Hiroshima, Yano made it clear that he does not intend to retire.

“I still really want to continue playing baseball. I want to continue my career as a player, so for now, I want to keep practicing and make sure I'm prepared.”

Asked where he hoped to play next, Yano said his preference would be to remain in Japan.

“Ideally, I'd like to be able to play in Japan.”

Yano also reflected on his time with the Carp, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to play for the organization.

“I was happy every day that I was able to play baseball with the Carp. That's probably my biggest memory.”

He also spoke emotionally about the fans who had supported him throughout his career in Hiroshima.

“The fans really gave me strength. I wish I could have done more and performed more in front of them.”

Yano said he was equally grateful to the organization for helping him develop as a professional baseball player.

“The people at the Carp are the reason I was able to grow as a baseball player and as a professional. I have nothing but gratitude toward them.”

Finally, Yano was asked how he could regain the trust he had lost.

He said the answer would have to come through his actions and his performance on the field.

“I need to take a hard look at myself. To regain people's trust, I believe the only way is through each individual action I take and through my results on the baseball field. That's what I want to work hard on.”

Yano's future remains uncertain, but his message was clear: he wants to continue playing, prepare himself for another opportunity, and rebuild trust through his actions and his performance.