Nippon Professional Baseball has received approval to start its season, which was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, on June 19.
"I am very pleased we could settle on an Opening Day," commissioner Atsushi Saito in an online press conference Monday. "But we will prepare. It is important to proceed carefully to protect the players, the people connected with the game and their families. We have created detailed guidelines so we can safely hold games."
NPB's decision comes after the Japanese government's advisory panel approved to end its state of emergency for certain areas Monday, making it possible for baseball to return.