[Testimony 80 Years After the War] “Let’s Meet Again on the
Battlefield” – Passing on the final promise of fallen baseball players to future generations. The “Last Waseda-Keio Game” Preservation Society was launched on October 10th with the aim of republishing the out-of-print book.
“The Last Waseda-Keio Game” Preservation Society Press release: October 10, 2025 To Members of the Press [Testimony 80 Years After the War] “Let’s meet again on the battlefield” – A final promise from fallen baseball players passed on to future generations. The “Last Waseda-Keio Game” Preservation Society was launched on October 10th with the aim of republishing the out-of-print book. A crowdfunding campaign has begun on CAMPFIRE to republish the out-of-print book “Last Waseda-Keio Game.” The “Last Waseda-Keio Game” Preservation Society was launched on October 10th, led by descendants of Toshiharu Matsuo, author of “The Last Waseda-Keio Game.” To coincide with the historic milestone of 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, the 100th anniversary of the Showa era, and the 100th anniversary of the Six University Baseball League, we aim to republish and preserve the out-of-print book “Student Mobilization: The Last Waseda-Keio Game.” As part of this initiative, we will begin crowdfunding on CAMPFIRE on the same day, October 10th. We hope to pass on this story to future generations and engage in activities that will help people think about war and peace through sports. Image
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https://camp-fire.jp/projects/872741/view Partial rewards: [Early bird 10% off] [For individuals] Silver course 9,000 yen | 1 book, thank you email, and your name published *Your name will be published in the book as a token of our appreciation for your participation in passing the story on to future generations. ■Story Summary: “Umiyukaba” echoes through the stands – A tragic yet moving moment in Japanese sports history October 16, 1943, Totsuka Baseball Stadium. Overcoming many difficulties, the baseball team’s send-off match for the students mobilizing for the frontline was carried out. The scene after the match is still talked about today as a legend. The cheering squad for the victorious Waseda University team cheered on the defeated Keio University team, shouting “Go, go, Keio!”, to which the Keio University team responded by waving their hats and saying “Thank you, thank you.” Students from both schools sang their school songs with tears in their eyes, and at the end, the entire stands became one in a chorus of “Umiyukaba.” The players encouraged each other, saying, “Let’s meet on the battlefield next time.” Some of them took off for the battlefield saying, “I have no regrets now,” never to return. It truly was “the last Waseda-Keio match.” “There was no Waseda or Keio there.” – Mr. Matsuo’s testimony speaks to the sportsmanship and human bonds that were not lost even under extreme circumstances. Image
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171217/1/171217-1-01795fa1ec7a8730b5412849db9ba03e-3274×2252.jpg ■ A powerful message for the present day: “War is not a thing of the past” Continuing conflicts around the world, including the situation in Ukraine, and various tensions rising within Japan. “Now that fewer people know about the war, this record quietly but powerfully appeals to modern readers about the value of peace,” says a member of the preservation society. ■ The “Last Waseda-Keio Game” Preservation Society will be realized • Reprint of the book “Student Mobilization: The Last Waseda-Keio Game” (After 17 Years) • Disseminating peace education materials in schools and libraries • Related materials available on dedicated website • If the goal is exceeded: Donations to the Japan Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (our efforts will be featured in the November Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations Newspaper), promotion of books, and continued operation of the preservation society.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171217/1/171217-1-39a6caec11e42641d2590a54084778ed-3900×2933.jpg ■ A milestone moment with multiple anniversaries In 2025, the historic year marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the 100th anniversary of the Showa era, and the 100th anniversary of the Six University Baseball League, a book that has been out of print for 17 years will be revived. This story, which was made into a film in 2008 and inspired many people, will be brought back to life in the present day. We will work to ensure that this valuable record, obtained through extensive research, reaches as many people today as possible. The descendants of Toshiharu Matsuo (91 years old at the time of his death), one of the last witnesses to have stood on the field that day, are carrying on the author’s wishes and attempting to republish this out-of-print book on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. ■ Passing the baton from grandfather to grandson after 80 years Project representative Yuzaburo Nakano (Keio University graduate) spoke about the mission he inherited from his grandfather, Toshiharu Matsuo, who actually played on the field for the final Waseda-Keio game: In his afterword, his grandfather wrote: “Our family will carry on this legacy.” “That’s what I really thought at the time of the final Waseda-Keio game. There was a kind of burning emotion in both the players and the cheering students, knowing that they would surely die if they went to the battlefield. The entire stadium was filled with a sense of despair. After the game, we all came together in tears and continued to sing the team’s cheer song.” I dedicate this book to my fellow baseball players who have passed away, and I want to continue sharing my story as long as I can. ”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171217/1/171217-1-ecd84d8e9a4fe0dbf98503117104df89-3900×2925.jpg Taken in front of Jingu Stadium during the Big Six Baseball Tournament “The Last Waseda-Keio Game” Preservation Society Akiko Nakano (maiden name Matsuo) Honorary Chairman of the Preservation Society Yuzaburo Nakano … Vice Chairman of the Preservation Society Nakano Yasusaburo Former Chairman of the Japan Volleyball Association (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) Nakano Renka Preservation Society Member Fujita Shogo Representative Director of FJ Realty Co., Ltd. *The family of Mr. Kasahara from Waseda University has given their full consent and has left it to us. ■Collaboration with schools and alumni organizations • Published in Keio University’s journal, “Mita Hyoron (October issue)” • Published in the Keio University Alumni Association newsletter, “Mita Journal (September issue)” • Scheduled to be published in the Tomonkai newsletter (December) • Announcements about our activities will be made at each Mita-kai and Tomon-kai. ■Special Supporters Takeshi Fukuzawa, Former Chairman of the Board of Councilors of Keio University; Yuichiro Anzai, Former President of Keio University; Yasushi Aso Chairman of the Keio Mita Association (Foundation), Tsunekazu Takeda, Honorary Member of the Japanese Olympic Committee (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation), Koichi Tsushima, Chairman of the Mita Athletic Association, Toshihisa Nagura, Former Chairman of the Mita Athletic Association, Akihisa Fukazawa, Chairman of the Mita Club, Toshihiko Goto, Former Head Coach of the Keio University Baseball Team, Kazushi Onijima, Former Head Coach of the Keio University Baseball Team, Kenta Aoshima, Member of the House of Councilors, Kazuo Yao, Former Chairman of the Jingu Net Back Mita Association, Takeyuki Tokura, Professor at the Keio University Fukuzawa Memorial Center for Japanese Studies, Masatetsu Takaya, Representative Director of Masatakaya Co., Ltd.
