Yomiuri Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe, 47, resigned from his position on the morning of the 26th after being arrested on suspicion of assaulting his eldest daughter. Abe met with team owner Juichi Yamaguchi, who formally accepted his resignation.
Speaking to reporters in Tokyo later that day, Abe tearfully apologized for the incident. “I have tarnished the name of the historic Yomiuri Giants organization, and I am filled with deep remorse,” he said. He also apologized to baseball fans, league officials, and the club for causing concern and disruption.
According to an official statement released by the team, the incident took place around 6 p.m. on the 25th at Abe’s home in Tokyo. During an argument between siblings, Abe reportedly intervened but became angry after his 18-year-old daughter responded back to him. Authorities stated that he grabbed her by the collar and threw her to the ground. No injuries were reported.
The daughter later sought advice through ChatGPT, which informed her about the possibility of contacting child welfare services. After the agency was notified, officers from Tokyo’s Shibuya Police Station responded to the situation and arrested Abe at the scene. He was released early on the 26th.
Investigators stated that there had been no previous serious incidents reported between Abe and his daughter.
At the beginning of the press conference, Abe apologized repeatedly, saying, “My family’s troubles have caused tremendous concern and inconvenience to baseball fans, professional baseball officials, and the organization. I am truly sorry.” Speaking about resigning in the middle of the season, he struggled emotionally and added, “Leaving in this manner causes trouble for everyone.”
During the conference, a lawyer representing the family also read a letter from Abe’s daughter, in which she stated that she had already reconciled with her father and asked the public to refrain from harassment and defamatory comments online.
Abe had served as manager since the 2024 season. Beginning on the 26th, Hideki Hashigami will serve as acting manager.
Team owner Juichi Yamaguchi commented that “the act of violence is extremely serious, and we determined that it was unacceptable for him to continue as manager,” while also apologizing to fans and the professional baseball community ahead of the interleague season.
