Yomiuri Giants left-hander Hisanori Takahashi was named the Central League monthly MVP on Wednesday after winning all of his five starts for the period covering March through April.
Takahashi led the league with five wins, a 0.45 ERA and two shutouts as he allowed just three runs — two earned — in 40 innings. He received the award for the first time since May 2002, his second time overall.
Yakult Swallows outfielder Norichika Aoki was named the CL monthly MVP in the category for position players, narrowly beating out Chunichi Dragons outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.
Aoki, the 2005 batting champion, had a league-leading .419 batting average.
Fukudome posted a second-best .363 average with nine homers and 24 RBIs — both league highs.
The Pacific League selected Seibu Lions right-hander Fumiya Nishiguchi and Fukuoka Softbank Hawks third baseman Hiroki Kokubo.
Nishiguchi earned a league-leading five wins and went 5-1 with a 3.55 ERA in six starts.
Kokubo led the league with nine homers, 26 RBIs and 21 runs scored.