Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s wife clutching US$30 bag in Seoul wins over fans

Japanese MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, now with the LA Dodgers, and his wife Mamiko Tanaka, have been attracting attention for their modest lifestyle, as evidenced by Tanaka’s choice of a 40,000 won (US$30) bag during their visit to South Korea for the first-ever 2024 MLB World Tour Seoul Series.

The Ohtanis attended a dinner organised by the LA Dodgers at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on March 16. Photos shared on social media by Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo show Tanaka in a light grey knit and black trousers, carrying a small shoulder bag.

Japanese media speculated that Tanaka’s bag is a 5,000 yen (US$33) item from the SPA brand Zara. Ohtani, who signed a groundbreaking 10-year, US$700 million contract with the Dodgers, is seen in a new light by fans, as they praised his wife’s frugality with comments like “much better than showing off one’s wealth,” “worth emulating” and “feels approachable.”

Tanaka’s visit to Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 18 to watch a practice game between the South Korean national team and the LA Dodgers also drew plenty of attention.

Without make-up and dressed casually, she enjoyed the match from the stands with Ohtani’s mother and sister.

Japanese sports media highlighted that “Ohtani’s wife sat in the regular seats, not VIP,” with netizens commenting, “It’s nice to see a superstar’s family not in a skybox or special seats,” and “The Ohtani family is humble, not taking advantage of privileges,” showing their support for the baseball star.

Ohtani, who surprised Tanaka, a former Japanese professional basketball player, with a marriage proposal, just before flying to Seoul, made their first public appearance together in South Korea. Even in the photos taken in front of the plane to South Korea,