Korea tries to end an 11-game losing streak to Japan at Tokyo Dome

South Korean baseball wants to stop a painful run. On 13 November, Korea meets Japan at Tokyo Dome in the 2026 Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC), looking to end an 11-game losing streak against Japan in events with professional players.

Leading the lineup are two right-handed sluggers born in 2003: Kim Do-young of KIA and Ahn Hyun-min of KT.

The APBC is back after three years. Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Australia take part, with players aged 24 or under, or within their first three years as pros. Each team can also add three "wild card" players aged 29 or under.

Korea opens against Australia on 12 November, then plays Japan the next day. Japanese media report that Japan will likely start left-hander Kazuyuki Takemaru, 24, of the Yomiuri Giants. In March he became the first Yomiuri rookie to earn a win on opening day. He finished this season 11-9 with a 3.27 ERA, though right-handed hitters are said to be his weak spot.

The last APBC was also held at Tokyo Dome, in 2023, and Japan beat Korea in the final. Korea has kept losing to Japan since, including at the 2024 Premier12.