JWL First! Tomoya Kinjo, Minor League Player Contracted with Toronto Blue Jays, Pays Courtesy Visit to Okinawa City Mayor
Tomoya Kinjo, a participant in the Japan Winter League (JWL), signed a minor league contract with the MLB Toronto Blue Jays and paid a courtesy visit to the Okinawa City Mayor. Kinjo stated that his experience at JWL was a turning point, and the Mayor expressed hope that it would bring dreams to the region.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 00:40
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 16:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 16:19 (18 min after Collected)
Japan Winter League (JWL), operated by Japan League Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture, Representative Director: Issei Washizaki), announced that pitcher Tomoya Kinjo, a participant in the 2025 season who signed a minor league contract with the MLB team Toronto Blue Jays, paid a courtesy visit to the Okinawa City Mayor.
©JAPAN WINTER LEAGUE
【Comment from Player Tomoya Kinjo】
Player Kinjo participated online from his current base of activities in the Dominican Republic and exchanged opinions with Okinawa City Mayor Mr. Hanashiro, Okinawa City Council Chairman Mr. Zukeyama, Japan League Representative Washizaki, and GM Ohno, regarding the contract, his journey so far, and his future.
Regarding the minor league contract, pitcher Kinjo calmly reflected on his journey, saying, "Rather than having done anything special, I believe this is the result of accumulating small efforts one by one in front of me." He added, "JWL was a place where I was able to seize an opportunity, despite not having been in the spotlight much before," revealing that it was a significant turning point in his career.
Regarding JWL, he emphasized its value as a place for growth, stating, "Being given many opportunities for actual games allowed me to seriously confront my challenges, and I feel that the environment was truly blessed." On the other hand, he showed strong determination for the next stage, saying, "I am only at the starting line. What needs to be done doesn't change regardless of the environment, so I want to respond with results while valuing daily preparation and accumulation. I believe the real challenge starts from here."
【Comment from Okinawa City Mayor Daisuke Hanashiro】
Mayor Hanashiro stated, "It is very proud that a player who will soar from Okinawa to the world has emerged, and it gives great hope to the children of the region." He praised the significant impact of pitcher Kinjo's challenge on the community and offered encouragement, saying, "As someone who gives dreams and hope to children, we expect further success in the future."
【Excerpts from Player Kinjo's Q&A】
Q. How do you reflect on your baseball career so far?
A. It wasn't smooth sailing, and there were long periods where I couldn't get results. However, I think accumulating what I could do one by one during that time has led to where I am now.
Q. What did you feel after participating in JWL?
A. For me, who hadn't been in the spotlight much before, JWL was a place where I could seize an opportunity. Being given many opportunities for actual games allowed me to seriously confront my current position and challenges.
Q. How did you feel about the JWL environment?
A. There were really many players from various backgrounds, and I received a lot of stimulation. In that environment, I felt I was able to raise my own standards, and I think it was a truly blessed environment.
Q. What are you conscious of for your challenge abroad?
A. I believe what needs to be done doesn't change even if the environment changes. I want to value daily preparation and accumulation and aim to be evaluated by results.
Q. What are your future goals?
A. I still feel I'm only at the starting line, so first and foremost, I want to continue producing results in my current environment. Beyond that, I hope to become a player who can succeed in Major League Baseball.
Q. Do you have a message for the children of Okinawa and players who will challenge in the future?
A. Rather than trying to do big things, I want them to value each small thing in front of them. I also accumulated things that way, so I think continuing is important.
Scene of courtesy visit to Okinawa City Mayor ©JAPAN WINTER LEAGUE
Pitcher Kinjo pitching in JWL2025 ©JAPAN WINTER LEAGUE
【Comment from Representative Washizaki】
Pitcher Tomoya Kinjo's minor league contract is not merely an advancement in his individual career, but one of the examples that embodies the significance of the initiatives promoted by the Japan Winter League (JWL).
JWL aims to provide actual game opportunities and a growth environment for players who have not had sufficient opportunities so far, or who are aiming for the next stage. Creating a flow where players who have had limited opportunities to be in the spotlight on a big stage, like this time, can seize new challenges and advance to the next stage, is a crucial role for JWL.
Moving forward, Japan League will continue to work on creating new possibilities and developing the baseball world, under the concept of "From Okinawa to the World," by continuously providing opportunities for challenge.
©JAPAN WINTER LEAGUE
【Comment from Player Tomoya Kinjo】
Player Kinjo participated online from his current base of activities in the Dominican Republic and exchanged opinions with Okinawa City Mayor Mr. Hanashiro, Okinawa City Council Chairman Mr. Zukeyama, Japan League Representative Washizaki, and GM Ohno, regarding the contract, his journey so far, and his future.
Regarding the minor league contract, pitcher Kinjo calmly reflected on his journey, saying, "Rather than having done anything special, I believe this is the result of accumulating small efforts one by one in front of me." He added, "JWL was a place where I was able to seize an opportunity, despite not having been in the spotlight much before," revealing that it was a significant turning point in his career.
Regarding JWL, he emphasized its value as a place for growth, stating, "Being given many opportunities for actual games allowed me to seriously confront my challenges, and I feel that the environment was truly blessed." On the other hand, he showed strong determination for the next stage, saying, "I am only at the starting line. What needs to be done doesn't change regardless of the environment, so I want to respond with results while valuing daily preparation and accumulation. I believe the real challenge starts from here."
【Comment from Okinawa City Mayor Daisuke Hanashiro】
Mayor Hanashiro stated, "It is very proud that a player who will soar from Okinawa to the world has emerged, and it gives great hope to the children of the region." He praised the significant impact of pitcher Kinjo's challenge on the community and offered encouragement, saying, "As someone who gives dreams and hope to children, we expect further success in the future."
【Excerpts from Player Kinjo's Q&A】
Q. How do you reflect on your baseball career so far?
A. It wasn't smooth sailing, and there were long periods where I couldn't get results. However, I think accumulating what I could do one by one during that time has led to where I am now.
Q. What did you feel after participating in JWL?
A. For me, who hadn't been in the spotlight much before, JWL was a place where I could seize an opportunity. Being given many opportunities for actual games allowed me to seriously confront my current position and challenges.
Q. How did you feel about the JWL environment?
A. There were really many players from various backgrounds, and I received a lot of stimulation. In that environment, I felt I was able to raise my own standards, and I think it was a truly blessed environment.
Q. What are you conscious of for your challenge abroad?
A. I believe what needs to be done doesn't change even if the environment changes. I want to value daily preparation and accumulation and aim to be evaluated by results.
Q. What are your future goals?
A. I still feel I'm only at the starting line, so first and foremost, I want to continue producing results in my current environment. Beyond that, I hope to become a player who can succeed in Major League Baseball.
Q. Do you have a message for the children of Okinawa and players who will challenge in the future?
A. Rather than trying to do big things, I want them to value each small thing in front of them. I also accumulated things that way, so I think continuing is important.
Scene of courtesy visit to Okinawa City Mayor ©JAPAN WINTER LEAGUE
Pitcher Kinjo pitching in JWL2025 ©JAPAN WINTER LEAGUE
【Comment from Representative Washizaki】
Pitcher Tomoya Kinjo's minor league contract is not merely an advancement in his individual career, but one of the examples that embodies the significance of the initiatives promoted by the Japan Winter League (JWL).
JWL aims to provide actual game opportunities and a growth environment for players who have not had sufficient opportunities so far, or who are aiming for the next stage. Creating a flow where players who have had limited opportunities to be in the spotlight on a big stage, like this time, can seize new challenges and advance to the next stage, is a crucial role for JWL.
Moving forward, Japan League will continue to work on creating new possibilities and developing the baseball world, under the concept of "From Okinawa to the World," by continuously providing opportunities for challenge.