Japanese baseball on first strike

Last-minute talks on Friday ended without agreement

Japanese professional baseball players have gone on strike for the first time since the game was introduced from the US 70 years ago.

The action was called over the players' demand that the league suspend a merger between two clubs, Orix Bluewave, and Kintetsu Buffaloes.

Such a merger could cause job losses, but the clubs' owners say it is the only way to keep the teams in business.

Baseball is keenly followed in Japan, despite a recent drop in popularity.

'Inappropriate'

Six games were called off on Saturday - with another six set to be cancelled on Sunday.

Disappointed fans went to get ticket refunds after the strike call was announced.

"Too bad the game is cancelled, but if you think of the players, I agree with the strike," one fan, Susumu Itayama, was quoted as saying.

Yasuchika Negoro, the commissioner of Japanese baseball, said he would resign to take responsibility for the strike, national broadcaster NHK said.

I sincerely want to apologise to all the fans who were planning on going to watch games this weekend Atsuya Furuta Head of players' association

The players have threatened to strike every weekend in September unless officials shelve the merger.

"We asked for a one-year freeze," said Atsuya Furuta, head of the players' association.

"We were told that was impossible and I sincerely want to apologise to all the fans who were planning on going to watch games this weekend."

The players' union is particularly worried that if the merger goes ahead, it could prompt the owners of other loss-making teams to follow suit.

It could also force the restructuring of Japan's current arrangement, whereby teams compete in two leagues of six teams each.

Falling ratings

The players and management said they planned to hold talks again next week to try to end the strike.

The authorities are proposing to merge the Osaka-based Buffaloes with Orix, who are based in Kobe.

Correspondents say the strike would deal a serious blow to Japanese baseball.

Attendance at baseball games and ratings of televised games have been dropping in Japan in recent years, as football has become more popular.

Stars such as Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui have also moved to the US.