YOSHIKI to Perform the U.S. and Japanese National Anthems at the 2025 Major League Baseball Opening Day in Tokyo
The Global Icon’s Triumphant Return After Neck Surgery Marks a Historic MLB Season Kickoff
TOKYO, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Internationally renowned composer, rockstar, philanthropist, and fashion icon YOSHIKI has been selected by Major League Baseball (MLB) to perform the American and Japanese national anthems at the monumental 2025 MLB Opening Day in Tokyo. This historic event, taking place at Tokyo Dome on March 18, will see YOSHIKI take center stage before a global audience, setting the tone for one of the most anticipated games in MLB history – a high-stakes showdown between the reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Chicago Cubs.
MLB’s 2024 World Series champions, The Los Angeles Dodgers, includes three Japanese players—Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto— who will return to their home country for this historic game. The Cubs will also showcase two Japanese stars, Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga, making the event especially meaningful for fans worldwide.
YOSHIKI’s performance marks his first public performance since undergoing a third major neck surgery in October 2024, following decades of physically intense performances as a rock drummer and classical pianist. The performance is set to be a moment of triumph, resilience, and unity, symbolizing the unbreakable bond between the United States and Japan through the universal language of music and sport.
YOSHIKI is no stranger to monumental moments in history. He was chosen to compose and perform his song “Anniversary” for the 10th anniversary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan’s accession to the throne, a performance that took place in front of the Tokyo Imperial Palace in 1999. His cultural impact transcends music, as evidenced by his groundbreaking achievement in 2023 – becoming the first Japanese artist to be immortalized in the 100-year history of Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theatre – placing his hand and footprints alongside the world’s most legendary stars.
YOSHIKI said:
“I feel honored to be part of this major event. I’ve performed the American anthem at Dodger Stadium and Carnegie Hall, but this will be my first time performing the Japanese national anthem in front of a live audience. This will also be my first performance since my neck surgery, but I will do my best to honor these beautiful songs and contribute to the special bond between the U.S., Japan, and the rest of the world.”
ABOUT YOSHIKI
Website: https://www.yoshiki.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoshikiofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/yoshiki
YOSHIKI is a groundbreaking Japanese superstar known for his contributions to music, fashion, film, and beyond. A composer, classically trained pianist, rock drummer, and leader of the legendary rock band X Japan, he has been recognized as “one of the most influential musicians and composers in Japanese history” by Consequence and described as “a musical innovator” by Billboard.
In March 2024, Variety honored YOSHIKI with the International Achievement in Music Award. In late 2023, he became the first and only Japanese artist in the 100-year history of the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood to receive a hand and footprint ceremony, cementing his legacy on the global stage.
In 2023, YOSHIKI made his directorial debut with the feature film YOSHIKI: Under the Sky, which premiered in New York, Tokyo, London, and Los Angeles before expanding to over 130 theaters across the U.S., Europe, and Japan. The film is now available for streaming in the U.S. on Amazon Prime.
His global musical achievements include composing a song for the 10th anniversary of the Emperor of Japan’s reign, writing the official theme song for the World Expo, scoring Hollywood film soundtracks, and composing the official theme song for the Golden Globe Awards. As the leader of X Japan, YOSHIKI has sold over 30 million albums and singles and holds the record for 18 sold-out concerts at the 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome. He has also performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Madison Square Garden, Wembley Arena, and Carnegie Hall, as a solo artist.
A recognized fashion icon, YOSHIKI became the first Japanese male to appear on the cover of Vogue Japan. In 2024, he launched his high-fashion brand, MAISON YOSHIKI PARIS, which debuted on the official calendar of Milan Fashion Week, followed by its presentation at Paris Fashion Week. He also founded Yoshikimono in 2009, blending traditional kimono craftsmanship with modern innovation. The brand has been featured in exhibitions at the prestigious V&A Museum in London and the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris, alongside designs from other globally renowned fashion houses. Since 2015, Yoshikimono has headlined Tokyo Fashion Week multiple times.
Beyond fashion, YOSHIKI has collaborated with French luxury crystal maker Baccarat, launching a new collection of crystal stemware. His partnership with Baccarat began in 2021 when he was selected as a designer for the brand’s 180th-anniversary collection. He is also the visionary behind Y by YOSHIKI wine, created in collaboration with the Mondavi family in Napa, California, and has launched his own premium Champagne brand in partnership with the renowned French house POMMERY.
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