[Japanese Interviews: Life in LA] Wataru Matsumoto: What Baseball Taught Me — A Life of Exploration and Verification

---

■ Lessons from Baseball: A Life of Exploration and Verification

“I was aiming to become a professional baseball player. I was a starting left fielder on the Keio University varsity team, and we won the Tokyo Big6 League in my senior year. I pursued a professional career, but when that didn’t work out, I shifted my path toward becoming a business professional.”

Wataru Matsumoto now serves as the head of e-commerce platforms at a skincare manufacturer based near Los Angeles. His journey—from a dedicated athlete to a data-driven business leader—reveals a life shaped by persistence and self-reflection.

■ In his mid-20s, player cards were sold during his time with the Ibaraki Golden Golds (Kin-chan’s amateur baseball team)

■ A Childhood Defined by Passion for Baseball

Born in 1979 in Fukuoka, Matsumoto grew up in a family where his father ran a newspaper distribution business and his mother was a homemaker. As the middle child between two sisters, he developed a passion for baseball at an early age, dreaming of becoming a professional player.

His father supported him with daily games of catch. He joined a youth baseball team in the second grade and made the unusual transition to hardball by the fourth grade—an early sign of his serious commitment. His talent quickly became evident, attracting scouting interest from two powerhouse junior high school programs.

However, his father opposed a sports-focused path, encouraging him instead to prioritize academics. Though not exceptionally studious, Matsumoto was driven by curiosity and persistence, often asking teachers questions until he fully understood the material. With only two months of cram school preparation, he successfully entered Shuyukan High School, one of Fukuoka’s top academic institutions.

■ Chasing the Dream at Keio—and Letting It Go

Matsumoto went on to Keio University, drawn by the prestige of Tokyo Big6 Baseball. Determined to go pro, he joined the varsity baseball team and committed himself fully, setting a personal goal to perform at a level that would attract professional offers.

While two of his teammates were drafted into professional baseball, Matsumoto did not receive an offer. Refusing to give up, he deliberately extended his time in university by repeating his senior year, dedicating that extra time to preparing for professional tryouts.

“I did everything I could to become a pro,” he reflects. With no regrets left, he made the decision to move on and began job hunting.

■ With the morning sun at Momochihama Beach in Fukuoka

■ From the Field to the Business World

After graduating, Matsumoto joined Dentsu, one of Japan’s leading advertising agencies. Among several roles he experienced, digital marketing proved to be the best fit. The fast-paced environment—centered on rapid PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycles—resonated deeply with him, echoing the iterative nature of athletic training.

His efforts paid off as he achieved the company’s top sales performance. Seeking a new challenge, he left Dentsu and moved to the United States in 2017 to pursue a business career on a global stage.

Today, he manages multiple e-commerce platforms for a skincare manufacturer in the Los Angeles area, constantly analyzing performance metrics and optimizing strategy.

■ Looking Ahead: Health, Curiosity, and Entrepreneurship

“Right now, I’m most interested in physical and mental well-being. By exploring and testing different diets and ingredients, I’ve seen changes not only in my body but also in my thinking.”

Matsumoto is now considering launching his own business in the health and wellness space. His lifelong habit of “exploration and verification”—honed through years of baseball and business—continues to guide his next chapter.

His story is a testament to the enduring strength gained from wholeheartedly pursuing a passion. The lessons baseball taught him continue to run deep.