TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Mikitani Hiroshi, the billionaire founder of Japan's Rakuten Group, attended a Taiwan professional league playoff game pitting his Rakuten Monkeys versus the Uni-Lions on Sunday (Oct. 13).
It was Mikitani’s first visit to the team since purchasing the Monkeys from Taoyuan’s Lamigo Group in 2019. He also spoke briefly with local media, denying long-standing rumors the Rakuten Group planned to sell the team, per CNA.
On the contrary, Mikitani said he hoped his team would become an important part of Taiwan’s professional baseball league. He said his travels to Taiwan had been delayed by the COVID pandemic.

After attending the second game in the playoff series, Mikitani said he was impressed by the turnout of the home crowd and the lively atmosphere created by fans throughout the game. Mikitani said his visit to Taiwan was mainly to watch the Monkeys play in their home stadium. He was also pursuing cooperative ventures between the team and Rakuten-related businesses, medical groups, and local companies.
Local media asked Mikitani if he had any opinion about scheduling more games at the Taipei Dome next season, which had been only recently added as a venue for Taiwan’s professional league in 2024. He said that he would leave this decision to Taiwan's professional league and Rakuten Monkeys management.
Mikitani said his most important task was helping the Monkeys punch their ticket to the Taiwan Series and securing a championship. As it turned out, his team prevailed in a landslide victory over the Uni-Lions by a score of 17-1, tying the playoff series at a game apiece, with game three scheduled in Tainan on Monday (Oct. 14).
