New Cubs reliever Ryan Brasier is feeling the love in Tokyo.

Brasier, an eight-year MLB veteran, played for Nippon Professional Baseball’s Hiroshima Toyo Carp during the 2017 season, alongside future Cubs teammate Seiya Suzuki. While Brasier had just a short stint, Japan’s passionate baseball fans haven’t forgotten about him — nor has he forgotten about them.

[MORE: New Cubs pitcher Ryan Brasier shares memories of playing with Seiya Suzuki in Japan]

“I’ve had a few fans around the hotel ask me to sign my old baseball card from Hiroshima,” Brasier told Marquee Sports Network’s Taylor McGregor during the Cubs’ workout Thursday at the Tokyo Dome. “The Japanese fans are super into baseball, and they travel really well. When I played here, it felt like away games were home games.”

Brasier, who joined the Cubs in February via a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, previously played for the Boston Red Sox from 2018 to mid-2023. A former top prospect for the Los Angeles Angels, Brasier underwent Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for the entire 2014 season. He then bounced around the Athletics organization before opting to play in Japan in late 2016. In Hiroshima, he posted a 3.00 ERA in 30 innings pitched.

Now, Brasier is back in Japan in a way he never thought he would be.

“It’s been really cool,” he said. “I never thought I would be back in Japan, so I’m excited to come back and play.”

Brasier also compared the difficulties that he experienced adjusting to a new culture and environment to what Japanese stars coming to MLB might feel.

“It’s really hard to come to a new place where people don’t speak your language,” he said. “It gives you an appreciation for guys like Seiya and Shota Imanaga.”

Japan’s biggest star undoubtedly is Shohei Ohtani — whom Brasier also played with in LA. Brasier recalled the buzz he heard of Ohtani before the latter signed with the Angels for the 2018 season.

“When I first got to Japan, people were already talking about how good Ohtani was — how he was going to change the game in the United States,” Brasier said. “It’s crazy to think that there’s a baseball player now that gets that kind of attention in the world.”