The 33-year-old opted out of the final two years of his contract with Major League Baseball's Mariners earlier last week, alerting a host of Japanese clubs.

The Hanshin Tigers were first to declare their interest but Johjima's former club the Softbank Hawks were also keen to bring the player back to Japan's southern island of Kyushu.

Johjima, who helped Japan retain the World Baseball Classic title earlier this year, signed a three-year US$24 million contract extension with the Mariners during the 2008 season.