TVQ Apologizes for 'Easy Opponent' Graphic in Hawks Broadcast

TVQ九州放送 apologized on September 2, 2026, for a disrespectful on-screen graphic displayed during a September 1 professional baseball broadcast, which referred to the Nippon-Ham Fighters as an "easy opponent" for the SoftBank Hawks. The graphic, shown in the top-right corner of the screen, read "3連覇へ お得意様日本ハム戦" (Toward a third consecutive title, the easy opponent Nippon-Ham game). The broadcast was a SoftBank Hawks game held at Es Con Field Hokkaido, and TVQ, which primarily covers Fukuoka Prefecture, aired it with former Hawks manager Hiroshi Fujimoto as commentator. Social media users criticized the wording as lacking respect for the opposing team, with some noting that Fukuoka has fans of other teams. However, others defended the graphic as acceptable for a local station supporting its regional team, arguing the apology was excessive.