Yusei Kikuchi, the 18-year-old Japanese phenom being pursued heavily by the Mets and seven other major-league teams, has decided to stay in his native country.

Kikuchi made himself available for next week’s Japanese draft, meaning he will pitch in Japan for at least the next nine years. If he chooses to try the U.S. then, he would be available to major-league teams through the same posting system that landed Daisuke Matsuzaka $51 million from the Red Sox to sign in 2006.

A contingent from the Mets met with Kikuchi and his representative earlier this week in Japan to express their interest.