Okajima's success in America's major league this season is as big a surprise in his native Japan as it is in Boston.

Before the season, most Japanese fans thought Daisuke Matsuzaka, not Okajima, would represent the Red Sox at the All-Star game.

The Red Sox had bid $51.11 million to the Seibu Lions for the right to negotiate with Matsuzaka, then signed him to a $52 million, six-year contract.

In the midst of negotiations with Matsuzaka, Boston quietly inked Okajima to a $2.5 million, two-year contract.

Okajima, who was added to the AL All-Star roster yesterday as the winner of the 32nd man Internet vote, was seen by many Japanese as someone to help Matsuzaka adjust to a new culture.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Okajima is 2-0 with a 0.88 ERA and four saves in 38 relief appearances this season.

The Kyoto native received 4.3 million votes in four days to beat Detroit starter Jeremy Bonderman, Minnesota reliever Pat Neshek, Los Angeles Angels starter Kelvim Escobar and Toronto starter Roy Halladay to the final spot.

"He has really changed since his days in Japan," said office worker Tetsuya Yoshida. "We knew Matsuzaka would do well but Okajima's performance is a huge surprise."

That's easy to understand when you look at Okajima's numbers in Japan.

A No. 3 draft pick by the Yomiuri Giants in 1994, Okajima had a modest 12-year career in Japan professional baseball.

His best season was 2001 when he had 25 saves and a 2.76 ERA in 53 games for the Giants, the only time he reached double figures in saves.

The Giants gave up on Okajima after the 2005 season, trading him to the Nippon Ham Fighters for two utility players who have yet to make an impact.

Okajima was 2-2 with four saves last season as a middle reliever for the Fighters.

Over 12 seasons in Japan, Okajima was 34-32 with 41 saves and a 3.36 ERA.

"The expectations on Matsuzaka were huge and that took some of the pressure off Okajima," added Yoshida, a loyal Giants fan. "When he played for the Giants we used to hold our breath whenever he came into the game."

Red Sox scout Craig Shipley, who followed Okajima when he played in Japan and played a key role in bringing him to Boston, said the left-handed reliever has exceeded expectations.