Ichiro Suzuki

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said at a regular news conference Oct. 8 that the government unofficially offered the Seattle Mariners' outfielder the prestigious People's Honor Award, only to have Ichiro turn it down -- for the second time in three years.

Ichiro said that accepting the award could reduce his motivation for playing baseball, according to Hosoda. Ichiro said he would be honored to receive the award after he finishes his career as a player, Hosoda added.

The government unofficially sounded him out about the award in 2001, but Ichiro declined, saying he was too young and had yet to complete his baseball career.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 16, 2004
(C) All rights reserved