Photo/Illutration Ippei Mizuhara, left, is seen beside Shohei Ohtani during the World Baseball Classic on March 20, 2023. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

References to Ippei Mizuhara, who was fired as the interpreter for Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers over suspected illegal gambling, will likely be removed from English-language textbooks in Japan.

Kyoiku-Shuppan Co., a major textbook publishing company, had planned to feature Mizuhara as a role model in an English textbook for third-year junior high school students.

The textbook was screened by the education ministry and approved for use on March 22 in classrooms starting in spring 2025.

But now, staff at the Tokyo-based publishing company are considering revisions.

A representative of the publisher said it was “simply astonishing” to learn that Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers and allegedly stole money from two-way baseball superstar.

“If what is being reported is true, we will have no choice but to consider replacing the content of the article,” the representative said.

The English textbook includes a chapter titled “People who Support Success” that features Mizuhara as an example.

In a conversation with characters in the textbook, Mizuhara explains that he not only performs interpreting duties but also helps Ohtani integrate into the team and supports his personal life.

The textbook also features two pictures of Mizuhara and Ohtani together, and Mizuhara appears on a list of people respected by the textbook’s main characters.

Publishers are allowed to replace the content of textbooks, even after the materials have passed the education ministry’s screening, if the ministry approves reports filed for revisions.

ABOUT IPPEI MIZUHARA

Mizuhara, 39, was born in Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

He immigrated to the United States as a child when his father, a chef, began working in Los Angeles.

After graduating from a U.S. college, he worked as an interpreter for Japanese players in Major League Baseball before becoming an interpreter for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, a Nippon Professional Baseball team, in 2012.

That year, Ohtani was drafted by the Fighters.

During his time with the Fighters, Mizuhara’s main job was interpreting for foreign players, and he had little contact with Ohtani.

However, when Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017, Mizuhara went with him to the United States as his exclusive interpreter.

In addition, Mizuhara was responsible for transporting Ohtani to and from the ballpark and practice fields. He also trained with the player.

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