On Sunday the inaugural Premier12 starts with the official opening match between Japan and South Korea at the Sapporo Dome. Samurai Japan’s manager Hiroki Kokubo announced that Shohei Otani will take the mound. The powerful hurler of the Nippon Ham Fighters led the Pacific League with 15 wins this year. The Ham Fighters are playing their home games at the Sapporo Dome, making the mound a familiar stage for Otani. After the opening match both teams travel to Taiwan to join the other ten participants of the tournament. Japan is playing a couple of exhibition games against Puerto Rico on Thursday and Friday at the Yafouku Dome in Fukuoka. South Korea completes its preparations at home with two games against Cuba on Wednesday and Thursday.