Yomiuri Giants Manager Abe Resigns: Use of Violence Is a Highly Serious Matter

Editorial

15:19 JST, May 27, 2026

When it comes to the manager of a popular baseball team, his every action is closely watched. His words and actions have a significant impact on society, and he must be aware of this. Violence is absolutely unacceptable.

Shinnosuke Abe, manager of the Yomiuri Giants professional baseball team, was arrested on the spot on May 25 by the Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of assault for using violence against his daughter.

Abe admitted to the charges and was released, but on the following day, May 26, he offered his resignation to team owner Toshikazu Yamaguchi, who accepted it. Abe apologized at a press conference, saying, “I have tarnished the name of the Giants, a team with a long tradition.” From now on, Hideki Hashigami, the team’s offensive chief coach, will serve as acting manager.

The news of “Manager Abe’s arrest” must have come as a shock to many people. Even though it was a family argument, the fact that he used violence is a serious matter.

According to the Giants’ announcement, a scuffle broke out between Abe’s two daughters at his home in Tokyo at around 6 p.m. on May 25. When he tried to stop it, his 18-year-old eldest daughter talked back to him. Upset by this, Abe assaulted her through such actions as grabbing her by the collar and forcing her to the floor.

Abe’s daughter was not injured, but his behavior apparently went beyond the scope of disciplining children.

When the eldest daughter consulted the conversational AI ChatGPT, it advised her to report the case to a child consultation center. After she did so, the center contacted the MPD, leading to Abe’s arrest.

Society has become increasingly sensitive to abuse and domestic violence. The sports world is also taking steps to eliminate violence, verbal abuse and harassment, among other matters. Dealing strictly with violence is the trend of the times.

Abe is a former star player who left a significant mark on Japan’s professional baseball and was an active manager. In this respect, he should have been one of the leaders who promote such initiatives. This incident could weaken the momentum for eradicating violence.

Athletes are physically large and have strong arms. They must not forget that if they use violence, they could seriously hurt others.

Following Abe’s resignation, his eldest daughter released a letter. She wrote that “this was the first time I’d ever had such a big fight with my father” and also that “I broke down in tears when I saw him being taken away by the police.” She surely did not anticipate that the conversation with AI would turn out this way.

Social media is rife with various speculations and posts defaming the people involved. At the end of the press conference, Abe said, “My daughter is a third-year high school student, so I hope you will watch over her warmly.”

Reportedly, the two have already reconciled. There are surely no families that never have a single quarrel or trouble. People should refrain from criticizing them just out of curiosity.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 27, 2026)