Shohei Ohtani Makes $700M — But His Parents Still Work Regular Jobs in Japan. What His Mom Said About Refusing His Money Left Fans in Tears

When Shohei Ohtani signed his record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he officially became one of the highest-paid athletes in the world—not just in Major League Baseball (MLB), but in the entire history of professional sports. Yet despite the staggering wealth and global fame he now commands, the most touching part of Ohtani’s story has nothing to do with the money, trophies, or headline-grabbing stats. Instead, it lies quietly in the humble neighborhood of Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan, where his parents still live and work regular, modest jobs. The words spoken by Ohtani’s mother, in particular, have struck a deep emotional chord with fans across the globe, many of whom were moved to tears.

The tale of Shohei Ohtani’s upbringing and the quiet strength of his parents paints a picture of values that stand in stark contrast to the flashy excess so often associated with superstardom. It is a story not only of success, but of discipline, gratitude, and deep-rooted cultural humility. Ohtani might be swinging for the fences in Los Angeles, but his heart—and his family’s spirit—remains deeply anchored in Japan.

The $700 Million Deal That Shook the Sports World

When the news broke in late 2023 that Shohei Ohtani had signed a ten-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, it sent shockwaves across the sports world. Fans, analysts, and economists alike marveled not only at the sheer magnitude of the contract but at what it signified: the ultimate recognition of Ohtani’s dual-threat ability as both a dominant pitcher and a fearsome hitter. This was no ordinary deal; it was a cultural moment.

The contract, unprecedented in its size, eclipsed previous record deals in professional baseball by hundreds of millions. It made Ohtani not just the face of the Dodgers, but the global face of baseball itself. Sponsorships followed. Media coverage exploded. Ohtani, already revered in Japan, became a near-mythic figure internationally. Yet for all this external transformation, something essential remained unchanged: the values instilled by his parents from the very beginning.

Meet the Parents Who Raised a $700M Superstar

Shohei Ohtani was born in 1994 in Ōshū, Iwate Prefecture, a quiet and rural part of Japan. His father, Toru Ohtani, was a former amateur baseball player who worked at a local car manufacturing plant. His mother, Kayoko Ohtani, was a national-level badminton player in her youth and later worked in a school cafeteria. Both parents understood the discipline and sacrifices required in the world of athletics, but they never pushed their son. Instead, they provided structure, encouragement, and most importantly, humility.

Despite their son’s meteoric rise to fame, both Toru and Kayoko have continued to live in their same modest home and maintain relatively low profiles. According to reports from Japanese media, Toru still helps coach youth baseball part-time, while Kayoko continues to work occasionally in community roles. Fans are often stunned to learn that neither parent has fully retired or cashed in on their son’s enormous fortune. And that, according to them, is entirely intentional.

“It’s His Life, Not Ours”: The Philosophy That Moved Millions

In a rare interview with a Japanese broadcaster, Kayoko Ohtani was asked why she and her husband had not accepted any of their son’s $700 million wealth, not even to upgrade their lifestyle. Her answer left many viewers teary-eyed.

“We raised Shohei to be independent. This is his life, not ours,” she said softly. “If we took his money, it would feel like we were taking credit for his hard work. We are proud of him, not for the money he earns, but for the person he is.”

That short, heartfelt statement made headlines not for its drama, but for its purity. In a world where fame often creates entitlement and fortune can fracture families, Kayoko’s humility was a striking reminder of traditional values—respect, self-reliance, and integrity.

Japanese social media lit up with reactions. Many praised the Ohtani family for embodying the cultural spirit of “gaman” (endurance and dignity under pressure) and “oyakōkō” (filial piety). Western fans, too, were captivated by the story, sharing it widely and commenting on the rare grace shown by Ohtani’s parents.

Shohei’s Deep Respect for His Parents and Roots

Despite his global stardom, Shohei Ohtani has never distanced himself from his Japanese roots. In fact, he frequently credits his success to his parents’ influence. “My parents are my foundation,” Ohtani said in an earlier interview with NHK. “They taught me everything—not just about sports, but about life. They never asked for anything in return, just that I work hard and be kind.”

He has also been known to return home quietly during off-seasons, avoiding paparazzi and public attention, just to spend time with his family. Neighbors in his hometown describe him as polite, soft-spoken, and unchanged by fame.

Ohtani has publicly spoken about how his parents never gave him money as a child unless he earned it, even if it was just allowance for chores or achievements. That mindset, he says, prepared him for the demands of professional sports. “I learned early on that nothing is given for free. You earn everything with effort.”

A Stark Contrast to Celebrity Culture

In an era where many professional athletes are surrounded by luxury, controversy, and sometimes even estranged family relationships due to wealth, Shohei Ohtani’s story stands apart. His life is a portrait of balance: on the one hand, the glitz of Dodger Stadium, roaring crowds, and record-breaking contracts; on the other, the quiet warmth of his family home in rural Japan, where humility still reigns.

The fact that his parents choose not to benefit financially from his wealth, despite all they’ve sacrificed for his career, is almost unheard of. And yet, that is precisely why it resonates so deeply with fans. The Ohtanis are not rejecting the money out of pride, but out of principle. Their son’s success, in their eyes, is not a payday. It’s a legacy of character.

The Emotional Weight of Kayoko’s Words

The phrase “We’re proud of who he is, not what he earns” has now become a widely shared quote among Ohtani’s fanbase. In forums, blogs, and even motivational talks, that sentence is being used as a symbol of what many feel has been lost in modern celebrity culture: authenticity.

For many fans—especially those who are parents themselves—Kayoko Ohtani’s words triggered deep emotional reactions. Some spoke of their own children, and the desire to raise them with similar values. Others reflected on the pressures of success, and how easily families can be torn apart by fame and fortune. The Ohtani family’s humility is a salve in a world that often feels materialistic and disconnected.

Legacy Beyond Baseball

As Shohei Ohtani continues to dominate the MLB with his astonishing performances, he is also quietly building a legacy that transcends baseball. The image of him striking out top batters or launching a 450-foot home run is powerful—but equally powerful is the image of his mother, refusing luxury for the sake of principle, and reminding the world that true success lies in character, not cash.

It’s a story that continues to inspire, not just in Japan or the United States, but globally. It speaks to the power of upbringing, the strength of values, and the beauty of quiet dignity. While many will remember Ohtani’s stats, the numbers he put on the scoreboard, and the historic contract he signed, perhaps the most lasting impact will come from something far less flashy: the simple decision of two parents who chose to remain humble, even when their son became a superstar.

A Humble Superstar With a Heart of Gold

In press conferences, Shohei Ohtani often shrugs off praise, deflecting attention to his teammates or coaches. That humility is not a PR act—it’s an extension of his upbringing. And it is becoming increasingly rare in the world of elite sports. The fact that this same humility extends to his financial life, and that his parents remain steadfast in their beliefs, only deepens the respect fans feel toward him.

In the end, $700 million may make headlines, but it’s the values behind that number that are leaving the deepest impression. For many fans, what Kayoko Ohtani said about refusing her son’s money was more than a statement—it was a reminder. A reminder that no matter how much money one makes, integrity, love, and family are the true measures of wealth.

And for Shohei Ohtani, that may be the greatest legacy of all.