TOKYO — Yomiuri Giants manager Tatsunori Hara will lead Japan at the 2009 World Baseball Classic, after two former managers of the national team said they weren't interested.

"I will do my best to form a strong team," Hara said Tuesday, after meeting with Japanese baseball commissioner Ryozo Kato.

The 50-year-old Hara guided the Giants to the Central League pennant this season and his team will take on the Seibu Lions in the Nov. 1-9 Japan Series.

Japan won the inaugural WBC in 2006. The 2009 tournament begins March 5 at Tokyo Dome.

Senichi Hoshino, the manager when Japan failed to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics, was considered a candidate but has said he doesn't want the job.

Sadaharu Oh, who guided Japan to the title at the inaugural WBC in 2006, stepped down as manager of the Softbank Hawks after this past season because of poor health.

Hara, a former infielder, led the Giants to the Japan Series title in 2002, his first season as manager. He stepped down when the team struggled in 2003 but returned as manager in 2006.