The deadline for signing new foreign players by Japanese teams was extended from June 30 to July 31 this year because of the Beijing Summer Olympics.
Since many clubs will be losing top performers to China for two weeks, the opportunity to get reinforcements from outside Japan was there, and at least five teams have opted to acquire last-minute outside help in order to increase their chances for making the Central and Pacific League post-season Climax Series.
Six gaikokujin, including two recycled players, have been brought in during July, and let's take a look at who's making up the pair coming back with new teams and four who are playing in Japan for the first time.
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