[Photo] Baseball fans cheer for Japan national team

Japan's first step toward a World Baseball Classic (WBC) repeat was destructive. It forced Taiwan into a five-inning mercy rule and earned a flawless win.

Japan announced a perfect start with a 13-0, seven-inning mercy-rule victory in its first Group C game of the first round against Taiwan at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on Mar. 6 in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). Japan earned its first win of the tournament, and Taiwan, with two losses, was pushed to the brink of elimination.

After the game, Japan players bow toward the stands. Mar. 6, 2026

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