On October 26, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te met with Sadaharu Oh, the chairman of the SoftBank Hawks, at the Presidential Office to present him with the First Class Order of the Brilliant Star. This honor was given in recognition of Oh's significant contributions to the development of baseball and the promotion of exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. President Lai praised Oh as 'a hero known to all in the baseball world,' acknowledging his frequent involvement in coaching players in Taiwan since the 1960s and his active efforts to foster professional baseball exchanges between the two nations.

During the meeting, President Lai expressed his personal pride in honoring such a distinguished figure in baseball and referenced the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March, where Japanese MLB pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to start for the Taiwan team. Lai remarked that this presence at the WBC represents respect towards the Taiwan team, and he conveyed his gratitude for the support. This further emphasizes the ongoing cultural and sports connections between Taiwan and Japan, showcasing the impact of baseball in fostering international relations.

In response to receiving the medal, Oh expressed his belief that choosing baseball had been the right decision for him, reinforcing his commitment to the sport. He also shared his hopes that both the Taiwanese and Japanese teams would advance to the finals of the WBC, underlining the friendly competition and shared passion for baseball that exists between Taiwan and Japan, which continues to thrive through such international sporting events.