There’s no deep meaning to it. Rather the players are emulating their former Japan representatives from the 2015 World Series that they grew up watching playing years ago.

“They came here and now we imitate them,” Japan pitcher Yushi Yamamoto said.

Japan’s players are having fun at the Series, even if they’re facing elimination throughout the losers’ bracket.

It’s a tough place for any team to find themselves in with each day being a win-or-go-home atmosphere with high stakes, but Japan players aren’t trying to worry about it. They focus on who’s at hand.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Japan's Tensei Yazawa (19) celebrates after hitting a home run during the International game against Mexico at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

On Tuesday, that was beating a good Mexico team from Chihuahua, 6-0, thanks to Yamamoto throwing 5 1/3 innings of three-hit baseball with eight strikeouts.

Sitting with ice wrapped on his shoulder, Yamamoto noted his arm felt better than it did during the Japan national tournament

Elimination games aren’t something Japan’s used to playing in this summer. At the Japan Regional tournament the team went 4-0 and never had to rally from a loss.

The team suffered its first loss at the Series to Venezuela, 4-0, and had to fight in the losers’ bracket on Tuesday by eliminating Mexico, 6-0.

Now Japan has to fight yet again, this time against Aruba or Canada on Wednesday in another win-or-go-home contest.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Mexico's Alejandro Gallegos (5) reaches for a fly ball to center during the International game against Mexico at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

“I’m so nervous because we couldn’t lose again,” Japan’s Suburu Yoshida said after facing Mexico on Tuesday. “But our manager and coaches check with us (and calm our nerves).”

Japan manger Kiichiro Kubo, who’s won four Little League World Series championships in his long coaching history since 2001, knows the team has to simply play their best regardless of opponent and not put too much pressure on themselves.

Kubo also knows how important pitching depth management is at the Series compared to when he won a title with Japan as an assistant 24 years ago. Pitching and defense is key to Little League championship runs more so than power hitting.

“In Japanese baseball, it emphasizes pitching and the players keep playing baseball like Japanese professional players in the MLB league,” Kubo said. “So that’s why I always tell the pitchers we need defense behind the players.”

“I want to do our best no matter who we are facing,” Yamamoto added. “We always try to emphasize the pitchers, the management, and we’re doing our best.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Mexico's Diego Acosta (8) watches the ball hit by Japan's Tensei Yazawa go over the wall during the International game against Mexico at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

Defensively, Japan has played well. After the tough loss to Chinese Taipei, Japan limited a strong Mexico team to just four singles as no Mexico player on Tuesday had more than one hit. Meanwhile, Japan itself collected 10 hits, including a three-run home run int he first inning and a two-run shot in the fifth.

“The players could hit well. The other day they didn’t show up in the last game’s batting,” Kubo said. “I give it a 10 out of 10 for the players (performance Tuesday).”

And Japan knows if they want to keep their Series run going, their pitching, defense and hitting will have to play well in their next elimination game.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Japan's Tensei Yazawa (19) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the International game against Mexico at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Japan's Ritsugu Furusato takes over on the mound to close the International game against Mexico at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Japan's Taisei Suzuki (2) connects with the ball during the International game against Mexico at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Yushi Yamamoto starts out on the mound for Japan during the International game against Mexico at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Mexico's Diego Acosta (8) reaches for a ball to center field off the bat of Taisuke Someya during the International game against Japan at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Iker Castaneda starts out on the mound for Mexico during the International game against Japan at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.