The U-12 Samurai Japan will gather on 23 July and travel to Tainan on 26 July. They will compete in Group A and face No. 3 Mexico, No. 4 Chinese Taipei, No. 6 Venezuela, No. 9 Australia and No. 19 Germany.
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<p>Manager <strong><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/hirokazu-ibata-to-return-as-japanese-u-12-baseball-national-team-manager" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Hirokazu Ibata (opens in a new tab)"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hirokazu Ibata</span></a></strong> announced Japan's roster for the VII U-12 Baseball World Cup.</p>
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<p>Ibata and his pitching coach Kazuki Yoshimi participated on 5 July in the Samurai Japan Day during the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) game between the Chunichi Dragons and the Yomiuri Giants at the Banterim Dome in Nagoya.</p>
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<p>The coaching staff also includes Shiro Nagatake and Tomoyo Koga.</p>
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<p>The U-12 Samurai Japan will gather on 23 July and practice on 24 and 25 July before travelling to Tainan, where the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association will host the <strong><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-u12-baseball-world-cup/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup (opens in a new tab)"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup</span></a></strong>.</p>
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<p>World No. 1 Japan will compete in Group A and face No. 3 Mexico, No. 4 <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Chinese Taipei (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/u-12-baseball-world-cup-hosts-chinese-taipei-announce-roster-will-face-australia-on-opening-night" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Chinese Taipei</span></a></strong>, No. 6 Venezuela, No. 9 <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Australia (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/talent-filled-roster-highlights-australias-return-to-wbsc-u-12-baseball-world-cup" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Australia</span></a></strong> and No. 19 Germany.</p>
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<p>Samurai Japan also announced Japan Airlines as their official airline company.</p>
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