Overview
The Japan Series began in 1950 with the two-league system as NPB's annual championship, pitting the Central and Pacific League champions (now Climax Series winners) in a best-of-seven format. The Yomiuri Giants hold the most titles with 22, followed by the Seibu Lions with 13 (as of the end of the 2025 season). The series has produced memorable matchups-in 1992, Takehiro Ishii earned MVP for Seibu against Yakult, while in 2016 Shohei Ohtani starred as both pitcher and hitter to lead Nippon-Ham to their first title in a decade. The introduction of the Climax Series in 2007 allowed non-pennant winners to reach the Japan Series, as in 2010, when third-place Lotte won the title and the system came under debate. Held from late October to November, home-field advantage alternates between the two leagues each year. As the event that closes the NPB season, the Japan Series remains an autumn tradition in Japan.