Isao Harimoto

Isao Harimoto, 86, died on September 9, 2026. Isao Harimoto was known publicly as a Japanese Hall of Fame baseball player (Toei Flyers/Nittaku Home Flyers/Nippon-Ham Fighters). Over his 23-season playing career in Nippon Professional Baseball, Harimoto played for the Toei Flyers/Nittaku Home Flyers/Nippon-Ham Fighters, the Yomiuri Giants and the Lotte Orions. He is the holder of the record for most hits in the Japanese professional leagues. An ethnic Korean, his birth name was Jang Hun (Korean: 장훈; Hanja: 張勳). Harimoto spent his life as a resident of Japan and adopted a Japanese name, but remained a Korean citizen, thus making him a Zainichi Korean for many years. An accident from youth forced Harimoto into becoming a left-hander, and when he became interested in baseball, he dedicated himself to adjust to playing the field and batting that resulted in him making the majors in 1959. Public biographical listings identify Harimoto as a Japanese Hall of Fame baseball player (Toei Flyers/Nittaku Home Flyers/Nippon-Ham Fighters). This public record remains centered on Harimoto's work as a Japanese Hall of Fame baseball player (Toei Flyers/Nittaku Home Flyers/Nippon-Ham Fighters) and the documented milestones of that career.