Koji Yamamoto's contract as Samurai Japan officially ended on Sunday.  The NPB will likely begin talks about the next manager some time in June.

Source: Sports Hochi 4/1/2013

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The NPB held a committee meeting for Samurai Japan on Monday.  Special adviser Shigeo Araki and special assistant adviser Ken Maezawa participated for the first time.  The group met ahead of a scheduled executive committee meeting on the 8th and discussed a number of issues, including ideas for how to expand revenue streams for the Samurai Japan project.

Source: Sponichi 4/1/2013

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The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Tokyo held a ceremony on Monday to commemorate the museum's name change/status from Zaidan Hojin Yakyu Taiiku Hakubutsukan (財団法人　野球体育博物館) to Koeki Zaidan Yakyu Dendo Hakubutsukan (公益財団法人　野球殿堂博物館).

Source: official announcement

Japan vs Cuba @ Sapporo Dome - 18:05

Attendance: 21236 | Time: 3:40

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Cuba vs Japan @ Yahoo Dome - 19:00

Attendance: 17468 | Time: 2:45

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The NPB announced today that the 2013 Fresh All-Star Game will take place in Akita at Akita Baseball Satdium (Komachi Stadium) on July 18.  Source: Nikkan Sports 9/20/2012, official announcement

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The twelve teams of the NPB held a team rep meeting in Tokyo today and confirmed that in order to strengthen the Samurai Japan project, people from outside the department/organization should be selected to the staff.  The NPB will be responsible for hiring personnel.  Source: Nikkan Sports 9/20/2012

According to Daily Sports, Cuba will be playing a number of games in Asia in November.

In early November, Cuba will make a stop in Korea to play games against the two Korea Baseball Organization teams that make the 2012 Asia Series.  They will then travel to Taiwan to play an exhibition game against the Taiwan National Team before arriving Japan to play Samurai Japan.

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UPDATE @ 1:10pm - Sponichi notes that Samurai Japan will play two games against Cuba -- Sapporo Dome and Yahoo Dome.

Mazda All-Star Game 2012 updates:

• Yuki Saito (HAM) is currently slated to start the first game of the All-Star series for the Pacific League.  Kenta Maeda (HIR) will likely start the first game for the Central League.  Source: Sports Hochi 7/10/2012
• Yuki Karakawa (LOT) is hoping to make his All-Star appearance during the third game of the series.  Karakawa was scratched from his start on Wednesday because of possible back tightness.  Source: Sports Hochi 7/10/2012
• Tony Blanco (CHU) is expected to withdraw from the All-Star series.  Source: Sponichi 7/10/2012

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The twelve NPB teams would like to see the Samurai Japan manager selected by late August because they want to get started on the business-side of things, like rounding up sponsors.  Acting NPB Commissioner Ryozo Kato told reporters that he would also like to make a decision as soon as possible, but was having a difficult time deciding whether or not to go with an active (tight schedule) or retired (may have lost the feel for the game) manager.  Source: Sports Hochi 7/10/2012

Kato is currently working with WBC special advisor Sadaharu Oh to narrow down candidates for the position.  Source: Sponichi 7/10/2012

Amongst the names that have been mentioned: Tatsunori Hara, Koji Akiyama, and Hiromitsu Ochiai.  Source: Sanspo 7/10/2012

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The KBO player's union is threatening to boycott the 2012 KBO All-Star Game and the next WBC if a tenth team is not allowed into the league.  Source: Daily Sports 7/10/2012

A little more detail from the Korea Times (6/19/2012):

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) concluded Tuesday that it will not allow a 10th team in the league at this time, disappointing fans in the areas vying for the new outfit.

The Korean baseball players' union is also unhappy with the decision and announced that its players will boycott the World Baseball Classic in 2013 and the All-Star Game in July.

... The board concluded that improving the conditions of amateur baseball in high and middle schools was a prerequisite ahead of adding another team to the league.

And from a Korea Herald article that was posted on 7/10/2012:

The Korea Baseball Organization's board of directors announced on Tuesday that it will review information regarding the establishment of a 10th team.

The decision of the pro baseball governing body is a reversal from its earlier decision on June 19 to postpone the discussion.

... "There was a proposal that was well developed," said Yang who added that he would discuss the proposal with the players' association.

... It was reported that teams opposing a 10th club, including Samsung, Lotte and Hanwha, did not reject the proposal, unlike in previous meetings.

The Samurai Japan Project Committee met in Tokyo today and decided to schedule at least four practice games in November 2012 and February 2013.  Addition details, like time, date, opponent, and venue, will be decided in upcoming meetings.

CPBL vs NPB @ Tokyo Dome - 18:25

Attendance: 35505 | Time: 2:51

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Nikkan Sports mentions the following line-up for Samurai Japan:

2B - Honda, Yuichi (SOF)
CF - Itoi, Yoshio (HAM)
LF - Uchikawa, Seiichi (SOF)
DH - Nakamura, Takeya (SEI)
1B - Kurihara, Kenta (HIR)
3B - Nakajima, Hiroyuki (SEI)
RF - Chono, Hisayoshi (YOM)
SS - Sakamoto, Hayato (YOM)
C - Shima, Motohiro (RAK)
SP - Tanaka, Masahiro (RAK) 

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According to Nikkan Sports: Kazuki Yoshimi could be the third starter used in the game (two innings).  Takuya Asao could also be called on to pitch the ninth.

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Toru Hosokawa is planning to invite twenty earthquake victims (children) to Saturday's charity game.

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Samurai Japan worked out for about two hours at Tokyo Dome today.

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The CPBL team arrived in Japan today.  The league also donated baseball equipment to a youth baseball team from northern Japan during a ceremony at Tokyo Dome.

Samurai Japan will hold full-squad workouts at Tokyo Dome on Friday.

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Yuki Saito is scheduled to pitch the 7th inning on Saturday.

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Masayuki Suzuki will be singing the National Anthem before the NPB charity game.