Boston's Matsuzaka first on Japan's WBC list

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's hopes of successfully defending their World Baseball Classic title (WBC) have been boosted after Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka committed to playing.

The 28-year-old's signal of intent comes as Japanese officials met on Friday to select staff to assist new national coach Tatsunori Hara.

"It would be an honor to play," Matsuzaka told reporters after arriving in Japan following the U.S. Major League Baseball season.

"I will keep myself in peak condition to play. I have not spoken much with coach Hara but he is a refreshing presence and very passionate about baseball. You can feel his energy."

Matsuzaka did not play at this year's Beijing Olympics in August when Japan failed to win a medal under Senichi Hoshino but was the most valuable player at the inaugural WBC in 2006.

His decision to play comes after a troubled period in which Hoshino refused to stay on following fierce criticism of Japan's performance in China.

Japan lost to eventual gold medalists South Korea in the Beijing semi-finals before being beaten by the United States in the bronze medal match.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who is also expected to rejoin the Japan side for the WBC, has demanded Japan "get serious" about defending their crown.

Hara was unveiled as coach earlier this month under the banner "Samurai Japan" after several candidates had pulled out of the running.

Sadaharu Oh led Japan to a surprise triumph in 2006 but the 68-year-old turned down the opportunity to take the job again for health reasons.

While Japan's best pitcher is likely to play, however, New York Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui is a doubt after only recently recovering from knee surgery.

(Reporting by Alastair Himmer; Editing by Peter Rutherford)