Ichiro Suzuki once patched things up with his wife after a sex scandal with a Japanese housewife
Ichiro Suzuki, the Japanese MLB player who is known for being chivarlous and honorably, was once involved in a sex scandal.
The incident, which took place in 1999, was first reported by the Japan Times in 2000. According to the woman, Suzuki, who she had known since 1995, called her up to his hotel in Tokyo in November 1999. Once in the room, she reluctantly engaged in an affair.
In the same month as the affair, Suzuki married his current wife, Yumiko Fukushima, a former TBS TV announcer. His then-30-year-old affair partner had also just gotten married two months prior to their infidelity. The woman alleged that her husband forced her to live separately, citing the affair as the reason.
The two parties involved in the scandal agreed to 12.5 million yen as consolation money to the woman. The settlement and the matter of the money were handled by Ichiro Suzuki's lawyer.
The former right-fielder himself regretted his actions but made it clear that everything was fine between him and his wife in an interview with The Japan Times. Suzuki said:
“I talked about this matter with my wife some time ago, and it’s not a problem between us any more”
Today In 2019: "There is crying in baseball." The great Ichiro Suzuki plays his final game! (Tokyo Dome - Japan) #MLB #Mariners #History https://t.co/RqsN9uugb8
The ten-time MLB All-Star stated that he had acted imprudently in his affair with the woman. He also claimed that he wasn't aware that the woman was married when they had the affair.
Shohei Ohtani bows to former WBC champion, Ichiro Suzuki
So wholesome.
Shohei Ohtani is always showing respect to Ichiro Suzuki 🥹🇯🇵 https://t.co/Iu8ZpIZjz9
For the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Shohei Ohtani was part of the Japanese team.
Ohtani debuted his MLB career in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels and has signed a $30 million contract that will last one year. Ohtani and Suzuki met during the MLB match that was held on April 4, 2023.
Shohei, to show respect to his childhood idol, took off his Angels hat and bowed to the veteran. Bowing is seen as a sign of respect in Japanese culture.
In a 2018 interview with MLB, Ohtani praised Ichiro Suzuki for saying that he has done a lot for their country. Ohtani said:
"I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. What he has done for this game, our country and the fans. I wish we could have played against him, but it wasn't meant to be. Wish nothing but the best for him moving forward."
Shohei Ohtani took off his hat and bowed to baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki ❤️🇯🇵 https://t.co/6PAIn4viyX
Ichiro Suzuki has already earned two World Baseball Classic titles. For the 2023 World Baseball Classic tournament, Ohtani was the MVP. Suzuki is currently an instructor and special assistant to the chairman of the Mariners.