Shohei Ohtani’s wife is Mamiko Tanaka, a former Japanese professional basketball player. The couple married in 2024 and now have two children, while keeping most details of their family life private.
Quick Facts About Mamiko Tanaka
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Mamiko Tanaka |
| Born | December 11, 1996 |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) |
| Former career | Professional basketball player |
| Former team | Fujitsu Red Wave |
| Basketball career | 2019–2023 |
| Husband | Shohei Ohtani |
| Marriage | 2024 |
| Children | Two |
| First child | Daughter, born April 2025 |
| Second child | Born June 2026; gender not publicly disclosed |
FIBA lists Tanaka’s birth date as December 11, 1996, and her height as 180 cm. She is 29 years old as of August 28, 2026.
Who Is Shohei Ohtani’s Wife?
Mamiko Tanaka is a former Japanese professional basketball player who competed at a high level before becoming known internationally as Shohei Ohtani’s wife.
She played four seasons for the Fujitsu Red Wave, a team in Japan’s women’s basketball league, from 2019 through the 2022-23 season. Fujitsu’s own records confirm that Tanaka left the club and retired from professional basketball after the 2022-23 season.
Tanaka was not simply connected to basketball through her professional club. FIBA records show that she represented Japan at several youth international competitions, including the 2011 FIBA Asia U16 Championship, the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship and the 2014 FIBA Asia U18 Championship.
That athletic background is one of the clearest links between Tanaka and Ohtani. Both built their careers in professional sports, although their paths were very different.
When Did Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka Get Married?
Ohtani announced in February 2024 that he had married a Japanese woman. At first, he did not identify her by name or share a photograph of her.
When speaking with reporters, Ohtani said he had known his wife for about three or four years. He also explained that she understood the demands of his career and was willing to live wherever his baseball career took him.
Importantly, Ohtani did not publicly disclose the exact date of the wedding. Many online pages repeat specific wedding dates, but reliable reporting does not establish a precise day. The safest description is that Ohtani and Tanaka married in early 2024, with the marriage announcement coming in February.
That distinction matters because the couple has consistently kept personal details away from the spotlight.
When Was Mamiko Tanaka’s Identity Revealed?
Ohtani initially chose not to name his wife. Her identity became public in March 2024, when he posted a photograph of himself and Tanaka before the Dodgers traveled to South Korea for the Seoul Series.
The image marked the first time Ohtani had publicly shown his wife’s face. The Dodgers also shared images and video featuring the couple as they traveled with the team and their families.
Before that reveal, Japanese media had reported that Ohtani’s wife was a former professional basketball player. Those reports were subsequently consistent with the public appearance of Tanaka and her documented basketball career with Fujitsu Red Wave.
What Did Mamiko Tanaka Do Before Marrying Ohtani?
Tanaka already had her own sporting career before her marriage became public.
She attended Waseda University and played basketball before joining Fujitsu Red Wave in 2019. During her professional career, she played as a forward and was also listed at center during earlier stages of her basketball development. Fujitsu described her as a player capable of contributing around the basket as well as from outside.
Her final season with Fujitsu was 2022-23. In April 2023, the club announced her departure, and Tanaka confirmed that she had decided to retire from professional basketball. In a farewell message published by Fujitsu, she described her four years with the team as an important part of her life and career.
Do Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka Have Children?
Yes. Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka have two children as of August 2026.
Their first child, a daughter, was born in April 2025. Ohtani announced the birth himself and thanked Tanaka for giving birth to what he described as their healthy daughter. The couple did not publicly reveal their daughter’s name.
The family grew again in June 2026, when Ohtani and Tanaka announced the arrival of their second child. MLB reported that the Ohtani family was now a family of four, alongside their dog, Decoy. The couple did not publicly disclose the baby’s gender.
Ohtani has generally avoided sharing identifying details about his children, so information about their names and private lives should not be treated as public fact unless the family chooses to release it.
Is Mamiko Tanaka Still a Basketball Player?
No. Tanaka is a former professional basketball player.
She spent four seasons with Fujitsu Red Wave and left the club after the 2022-23 season. Fujitsu’s official announcement confirms her retirement from playing after that season.
Her basketball record, however, goes beyond her professional club career. FIBA lists her participation with Japan’s youth national teams, including appearances in major international youth competitions.
How Private Are Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka?
Very private.
Ohtani’s marriage announcement was notable partly because he gave the public very little information. He did not initially identify his wife, and he has continued to limit what he shares about his home life.
The same approach has continued since they became parents. When their daughter was born in 2025, Ohtani shared a photograph of her feet rather than revealing her face or name. When their second child arrived in 2026, the couple again shared the news without releasing identifying details.
For that reason, claims online about private family details should be treated carefully unless they come directly from Ohtani, Tanaka or a highly reliable source.
Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka’s Relationship Timeline
- 2019–2023: Tanaka played professional basketball for Fujitsu Red Wave.
- Before February 2024: Ohtani said he had known his future wife for roughly three or four years, but the relationship was not publicly confirmed.
- February 2024: Ohtani announced that he was married but initially kept his wife’s identity private.
- March 2024: Ohtani publicly revealed Mamiko Tanaka in a photograph taken before the Dodgers’ trip to South Korea.
- December 2024: Ohtani announced that he and Mamiko were expecting their first child.
- April 2025: The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter.
- June 2026: Ohtani and Tanaka announced the arrival of their second child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shohei Ohtani’s wife?
Shohei Ohtani’s wife is Mamiko Tanaka, a former Japanese professional basketball player who played for Fujitsu Red Wave from 2019 to 2023.
How old is Mamiko Tanaka?
Mamiko Tanaka was born on December 11, 1996. She is 29 years old as of August 2026.
When did Shohei Ohtani marry Mamiko Tanaka?
Ohtani announced his marriage in February 2024, but the exact wedding date has not been publicly confirmed by reliable sources.
Does Shohei Ohtani have children?
Yes. Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka have two children as of August 2026. Their first child, a daughter, was born in April 2025, and their second child was born in June 2026.
What did Mamiko Tanaka do before she married Shohei Ohtani?
Tanaka was a professional basketball player in Japan. She played for Fujitsu Red Wave for four seasons and retired after the 2022-23 season.
How tall is Mamiko Tanaka?
FIBA lists Mamiko Tanaka at 180 cm, or about 5 feet 11 inches.
What is known about Ohtani’s second child?
The birth of the couple’s second child was announced in June 2026. Ohtani and Tanaka have not publicly disclosed the child’s gender or name.
Source list
- MLB: Shohei Ohtani announces marriage, Access Date: August 28, 2026
- ESPN: Shohei Ohtani shares first photo with wife, Mamiko Tanaka, Access Date: August 28, 2026
- Associated Press: Shohei Ohtani shares a photo of his new wife on social media. She’s a former pro basketball player, Access Date: August 28, 2026
- FIBA Basketball: Mamiko Tanaka (Japan) – Basketball Stats, Height, Age, Access Date: August 28, 2026
- Fujitsu Sports: 田中 真美子 – レッドウェーブ, Access Date: August 28, 2026
- Fujitsu Sports: 女子バスケットボール部2022年度退団者のお知らせ, Access Date: August 28, 2026
- MLB: Shohei Ohtani welcomes first child, Access Date: August 28, 2026
- MLB: Dad strength, indeed: Ohtani homers on eve of Father’s Day after birth of 2nd child, Access Date: August 28, 2026
- Reuters: MLB star Ohtani shares photo of wife as Dodgers head to South Korea, Access Date: August 28, 2026
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I am an independent writer and digital researcher tracking everyday trends, tech shifts, and modern culture across the US. I focus on cutting through internet noise to bring you crisp, honest stories and practical takeaways you can actually use.
