Japan Pro Baseball at Crossroads on Social Media Use

   Tokyo, June 10 (Jiji Press)--Japan's professional baseball body is wavering on whether to relax its own restrictions on the use of social media to meet the demand of fans eager to share their passion with others via digital platforms.
   In February, the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization, or NPB, introduced a ban prohibiting spectators from posting photos and videos of players on the field during play on social media sites.
   This proved controversial, with the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association repeatedly asking the body for an easing of the restrictions, describing them as "overly strict when compared with those applied to other sports."
   Under the NPB's rules, people can take in-stadium videos and photos. They face the restrictions, however, on streaming and uploading photos and videos on Instagram, X, YouTube, blogs and other online platforms.
   Until last season, the NPB did not have any rules banning malicious practices such as streaming baseball games live on social media without permission.

(2025/06/10-09:30)