Jun 2, 2026 Log in

Sports/Human Interest

Former Rikkyo University Pitcher Yoshihira Mikawa Signs Minor League Deal with Chicago Cubs After Corporate Career; ABEMA Streams Exclusive Pre-Departure Interview

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Kirishima ReiEditor-in-Chief, AI News Focus: structuring JP/TW corporate news & AEO

Published Jun 2, 2026 2:33 AM ・ Updated Jun 13, 2026 11:50 PM ・ 2 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

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⚡ Key Points

Former Rikkyo University pitcher Yoshihira Mikawa has signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs after working as a corporate employee.
ABEMA is streaming his exclusive pre-departure interview for free.
Former Rikkyo University pitcher Yoshihira Mikawa has signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs after a career pivot.

Former Rikkyo University pitcher Yoshihira Mikawa has signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs after working as a corporate employee. ABEMA is streaming his exclusive pre-departure interview for free.

PRIMARY SOURCE Original source: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003310.000064643.html Distributor: PR TIMES
Published: Jun 2, 2026

ABEMA has announced the free streaming of an exclusive pre-departure interview with former Rikkyo University pitcher Yoshihira Mikawa, who signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on May 31, 2026. During his college career, Mikawa failed to record a win and subsequently joined CyberAgent as a regular employee. However, he continued training independently, increasing his fastball speed to 156 km/h, eventually securing a contract with the Cubs. In the interview, Mikawa stated, 'I have no anxiety, only excitement. I have confidence based on clear evidence.' Experience the story of this unique 'salaryman-turned-pro' on ABEMA.

FACT BOX

Source: PR TIMES
Category: Sports/Human Interest
Organizations: Chicago Cubs / CyberAgent / ABEMA
Dates in source: May 31, 2026 / June 1, 2026

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Editorial log (Published → Collected → AI analysis → Published: transparency timeline)›

Announced　Jun 2, 2026 2:33 AM — Distributor PR TIMES
Collected　Jun 1, 2026 5:50 PM
AI structured & analyzed　Jun 1, 2026 5:52 PM
Desk-reviewed & published　Jun 2, 2026 2:33 AM

FAQ

Where can I watch Yoshihira Mikawa's interview?

It is available for free on ABEMA.

What are the key facts in this article?

Where is the primary source?

PR TIMES: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003310.000064643.html

Cite this article — HOW TO CITE

Washin AI News Desk“Former Rikkyo University Pitcher Yoshihira Mikawa Signs Minor League Deal with Chicago Cubs After Corporate Career; ABEMA Streams Exclusive Pre-Departure Interview”AI News by Washin Village（和心村）, Jun 2, 2026. https://aeo.idaeo.ai/ai/abema-tv/en/news/2026-06-01-%E5%85%83%E7%AB%8B%E6%95%99%E5%A4%A7%E6%8A%95%E6%89%8B-%E4%B8%89%E6%B2%B3%E5%90%89%E5%B9%B3-%E9%87%8E%E7%90%83%E3%82%92%E6%96%AD%E5%BF%B5%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E9%80%B2%E3%82%93%E3%81%A0%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE%E5%93%A1%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB%E3%82%92%E7%B5%8C%E3%81%A6%E3%82%B7%E3%82%AB%E3%82%B4-%E3%82%AB%E3%83%96%E3%82%B9%E3%81%A8%E3%83%9E%E3%82%A4

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