Shohei Ohtani Name in Japanese: Kanji and Reading
Shohei Ohtani name in Japanese is written as 大谷 翔平 in kanji. The family name Ohtani is 大谷, and the given name Shohei is 翔平. The standard romanization follows the Hepburn system, and the pronunciation is "Ōtani Shōhei" with a long first syllable in the surname. The characters are used in official MLB records, Nippon Professional Baseball filings, and Japanese passport documentation on MLB.com.
The kanji 翔 means to soar or fly, while 平 means peace or flat. Together, 翔平 suggests a peaceful soaring or flying with tranquility. This meaning aligns with his role as a pitcher and hitter who dominates games with smooth, powerful mechanics. The name is registered in Japanese family registries (koseki) and appears in public documents released by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and Los Angeles Dodgers.
How Shohei Ohtani Name in Japanese Is Written and Spoken
In Japanese writing, Ohtani uses kanji with furigana reading guides in media aimed at younger readers. The furigana for 大谷 is おおたに (Ootani), and for 翔平 it is しょうへい (Shōhei). Newspapers such as Asahi Shimbun and Nikkei print both kanji and furigana when referencing him on Nikkei. The name follows standard Japanese surname-given name order, with the family name placed first.
Shohei Ohtani name in Japanese is often rendered in katakana as オータニ ショウヘイ when targeting non-Japanese audiences. However, the kanji form remains standard in domestic reporting and official team communications. The Dodgers organization uses the kanji version in Japanese-language press releases and stadium signage on the official Dodgers website. Broadcasters on NHK and TV Tokyo use the kanji and furigana version during live coverage.
Official Records and Usage of Shohei Ohtani Name in Japanese
Legal documents in Japan list his name as 大谷翔平, and this form appears on his driver's license, passport, and player registration with NPB. When he entered the MLB posting system in 2017, the name was transliterated consistently across international contracts. The Dodgers' official registration with MLB uses the same kanji spelling in bilingual documents as reported by team communications.
Merchandise sold in Japan features the kanji 大谷翔平 on jerseys, caps, and memorabilia. The licensing agreements with MLB Players Inc. require the Japanese kanji form to match official records. Fan communities in Japan use the full kanji name in social media posts and fan letters, and the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters continue to list his historical stats under the same kanji spelling on the Fighters official site.