Petition for Abe Shinnosuke's return hits 120,000 signatures in 2 days; organizers end early

Calls for the return of former Yomiuri Giants manager Abe Shinnosuke are intensifying. After fans launched a petition on the online platform Change.org Japan on the 26th, the number of signatures exceeded 120,000 in just two days. The organizers announced today that due to the overwhelming response, they have decided to end the petition early to avoid confusion. The petition was originally scheduled to run until the night of June 5, with an initial goal of 43,500 signatures—the capacity of the Tokyo Dome. However, as of 4 PM today, the count had far exceeded expectations. In a statement, the organizers expressed gratitude for the massive support, noting that the desire to "see Abe Shinnosuke in a uniform again" has been clearly conveyed. While many supporters wanted to push for higher goals, the organizers emphasized that the purpose was not to attack anyone or incite conflict, but simply to convey fan sentiment to the team. Concerned that extending the campaign could lead to excessive media coverage or unintended consequences for the team, they decided to close the petition on the night of the 28th. The organizers stated they would compile the 120,000+ signatures into an official document to be submitted to the Yomiuri Giants' official office.