New employees at Japan Airlines and JAL group companies attended their entrance ceremony at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on April 1.

Large firms customarily hold events like this to welcome fresh members of their workforce at the start of the new fiscal year.

This year, they got a surprise video message from Los Angeles Dodgers star Ohtani Shohei, who has a sponsorship contract with JAL.

S/ Ohtani Shohei, LA Dodgers / Don't forget to take on challenges, and I hope you will spread your wings toward the future. Let's continue discovering new scenery together. I'm rooting for you.

At a separate ceremony for All Nippon Airways and group firms, about 3,100 new employees attended.

The total has surpassed 3,000 for the first time in five years, with the number having dropped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A new employee representing peers expressed intention to continue taking on challenges to contribute to the development of Japan and the world.