Today is Shunbun no Hi (Vernal Equinox), a national holiday.
• Japan is officially No.1 in the baseball world. The Japanese baseball team beat Cuba 10-6 in the final of the inaugural World Baseball Classic this afternoon (Japan time) to become the first World Champions of baseball. With contributions from MLB stars like Ichiro (photo, sliding into home plate in the 9th inning) and home-based players such as slugger Matsunaka Nobuhiko and catcher Satozaki Tomoya, the Japanese team overcame some nervy middle innings with a 4-run spurt in the top of the ninth. Former San Diego Padres pitcher Ohtsuka Akinori took to his old mound for the last four outs to put the final nail in Cuba’s coffin. Managed by baseball legend Oh Sadaharu, the Japan team’s exploits have been followed by a huge TV audience here at home – the audience rating for the semi-final against South Korea was a whopping 50.3% – and are sure to return home to a real heroes’ welcome. Ichiro was singled out by TV reporters for their first “hero interview” and he was clearly overcome by the achievement. “Amazing! I’m so happy. What a great team!” he said, grinning from ear to ear. He, Satozaki and starting pitcher Matsuzaka Daisuke were named to the WBC Best Nine, while Matsuzaka was named tournament MVP.