Dutch outfielder Wladimir Balentien has concluded the regular season with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows with 60 home runs, setting a new single-season record in Nippon Professional Baseball. He had passed the previous record of 55 by Sadaharu Oh, Tuffy Rhodes and Alex Cabrera on September 15 against the Hanshin Tigers. Overall he batted .330/.455/.779 with 60 home runs, 94 runs and 131 RBI in 130 games this year. The Yakult Swallows missed the postseason, finishing in sixth place in the Central League with a 57-83 record.
Also Italian right-hander Alessandro Maestri finished the season in NPB. His ORIX Buffaloes ranked fifth with a 65-72 record in the Pacific League. He ended the year with a positive 7-5 record and an ERA of 5.40 in 24 appearances. He struck out 42 and walked 32 in 75 innings.