Japanese baseball legend Isao Harimoto, who survived the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima as a child, has died in Tokyo at the age of 86.
Harimoto, known as the “Hit Machine,” holds the record for the most hits in Japanese professional baseball, finishing his 23-season career with 3,085 hits. He remains the only player in Nippon Professional Baseball history to reach 3,000 hits.
He also recorded 504 home runs and 319 stolen bases, becoming the only NPB player to achieve at least 500 home runs and 300 stolen bases.
Harimoto was an 18-time All-Star and helped the Toei Flyers win their first Japan Series title in 1962. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.
Born in Hiroshima in 1940 to Korean parents, Harimoto suffered a severe burn to his right hand as a child, which affected its movement. He subsequently learned to bat and throw left-handed.
At five, Harimoto survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. He later recalled that his mother shielded him and his sister during the explosion, while another sister was killed.
Despite his difficult childhood, Harimoto went on to enjoy a celebrated career, winning seven batting titles before retiring in 1981 after 2,752 games.
He later became a baseball commentator and helped launch South Korea’s professional baseball league in 1982.
The Golden Players Club paid tribute to Harimoto, recognising his outstanding contribution to baseball.
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