Major Leaguer Yusei Kikuchi becomes the ambassador of Japan’s largest audiobook service “audiobook.jp”!

Major league pitcher Yusei Kikuchi has been appointed as the ambassador of Japan’s largest audiobook service “audiobook.jp”! ​
Otobank Co., Ltd. Press release: October 21, 2024 Major Leaguer Yusei Kikuchi becomes the ambassador of Japan’s largest audiobook service “audiobook.jp”! Kikuchi, the baseball world’s biggest reader, supports the spread of audiobooks
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Otobank Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Yuya Kubota, hereinafter referred to as “Otobank”) is pleased to announce that Yusei Kikuchi, a pitcher active in the U.S. Major League Baseball, will be appointed as the “audiobook.jp” ambassador. While pitcher Kikuchi is active as one of the world’s top athletes, he also works on one of Japan’s largest all-weather baseball complexes, King of the Hill, in his hometown of Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, and is dedicated to the healthy development of children who will lead the next generation. has also been contributed. In the future, we plan to work with pitcher Kikuchi to deliver reading experiences that support the athlete’s life and new ways to enjoy audiobooks. *1. Research by Japan Marketing Research Organization, November 2023. Survey of Japanese audiobook book lineups. ■Background of appointment Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is known as an avid reader, reading up to 200 books a year, even though he is busy as a top athlete. Five years ago, he also started using audio books, which he listens to with his ears, and enjoys reading efficiently in a variety of situations, such as while traveling by plane or car. Kikuchi, who has incorporated audiobooks into his daily life and experienced their charm, has accepted the offer to become an ambassador because he wants more people to know about this new reading style. From now on, together with pitcher Kikuchi, we will disseminate information such as recommended books and how to use them so that everyone can enjoy audiobooks even more. ■Comment from pitcher Yusei Kikuchi “I have recently been appointed as an ambassador for audiobook.jp.I myself read over 200 books a year, and more than half of those books are from audiobooks. I would like to spread the word to as many people as possible, so I will continue to work hard in the future.Please keep an eye on future developments.” https://img.youtube.com/vi/NnCdNoAeGNw/sddefault.jpg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnCdNoAeGNw ■Introducing recommended books
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/462/34798-462-0fd0715e024f79d0975f96588d42e451-1400×1400.png We asked pitcher Kikuchi to pick up the works that left an impression on him after listening to them on audiobook.jp. Please use this as a reference when selecting works. https://audiobook.jp/booklist/2352 ■Future developments “audiobook.jp”, with the cooperation of Hiroshi Kikuchi, will develop new initiatives to expand the popularity of audiobooks. As the first step, we are planning to broadcast an original program in which pitcher Kikuchi himself will introduce recommended books and explain the reasons for choosing them. Furthermore, we will propose new ways to enjoy audiobooks through various projects, such as how to incorporate audiobooks into daily life and how to use them effectively. Through these initiatives, we aim to increase awareness and expand the use of audiobooks, and aim to provide services that are close to the lives of even more people. Please look forward to the new reading experience created by Kikuchi and audiobook.jp. ■“audiobook.jp” official ambassador Yusei Kikuchi pitcher profile
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/462/34798-462-ba4374f74d37a24a2bf7e98527bbd298-1145×1431.jpg Belongs to the MLB Houston Astros. Born June 17, 1991 in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. During his time at Hanamaki Higashi High School, he participated in Koshien three times. In 2009, he led Senbatsu Jun-V as an ace. After competing with six teams in the draft that year, he joined the Saitama Seibu Lions. Won the title of best defense average and most wins in 2017. The following year, he challenged himself to the major leagues. Transferred to the Seattle Mariners in 2019. In his third year, he was selected as an All-Star for the first time. 2022 Toronto Blue Jays, current member from July 2024. Father of one child. ■“King of the Hill” One of the largest all-weather baseball complexes in Japan, produced by pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. It has been built in Iwate Prefecture as a place where players from a wide range of generations, including myself, Japanese professional baseball players, high school baseball players, and youth baseball teams, can gather. In addition to introducing the latest technology, including
MLB-specification measurement and analysis equipment, we will offer training proposals based on expert analysis and a “baseball school” aimed at improving your skills. It is also expected to be used as a place for residents to interact across regions and generations. (Scheduled to be completed on November 17, 2024) ■What is an audiobook
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/462/34798-462-6169314175f4583aa260816229d09c45-1080×719.jpg An audiobook is a “listening book” in which a narrator or voice actor reads the book aloud. Since you can enjoy reading with just your ears, you can enjoy “reading while doing it” not only for people who have difficulty reading, but also for all kinds of situations in your life, such as while running, while traveling by train or car, or while doing housework. In recent years, the number of audiobook users has rapidly increased due to the rapid spread of smartphones and wireless earphones, which has rapidly improved the environment for the use of audio content, and the introduction of subscription plans that allow unlimited listening to a variety of works for a fixed fee. Currently, audiobooks are becoming the third type of book, following paper books and e-books. [Reference] Learn about audiobook production and recommended works! “Understand everything! Audiobook”
https://bit.ly/3Xg8mFJ ■ audiobook.jp (Audiobook JP)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/462/34798-462-b0d38f142c62e61e7af2d459c735e12e-1908×372.jpg This is Japan’s largest audiobook distribution service operated by Otobank Co., Ltd. The service was renewed from “FeBe”, which started distribution in 2007, and started service in March 2018. We aim to expand the platform to popularize the audiobook category. The number of members will exceed 3 million in February 2024.
https://audiobook.jp/ [Service overview] ・Service name: “audiobook.jp” ・Site URL: https://audiobook.jp/ ・App Store page:
https://app.audiobook.jp/ios ・Google Play page:
https://app.audiobook.jp/android ・Price structure: The unlimited listening plan costs 1,330 yen (tax included) per month. You can use it for free for two weeks after joining. Individual purchases can be made for each work. (*Mainly distributed in the same price range as hardcover books (1,200 yen to 1,500 yen).) ■Otobank Co., Ltd. (Head office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Yuya Kubota)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/462/34798-462-dd6097a500f0aecba4e7db99d4bb6a0a-904×359.png We are developing a business centered on audio content, and aim to “create a culture of listening,” “barrier-free access for the visually impaired,” and “promote publishing culture,” and boast one of the largest distribution volumes in Japan. Audiobook company. We partner with over 500 publishers, and our main businesses include audiobook sales through Japan’s largest audiobook distribution service, audiobook.jp, as well as the online book guide Shinkan JP ( We also carry out a book promotion business centered on
https://sinkan.jp/). https://www.otobank.co.jp/