The Seattle Mariners announced on Monday that catcher Kenji Johjima has decided to opt out of the last two years of his contract and return to play in Japan.

The 33-year-old Johjima agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Mariners in April of 2008. Prior to coming to Seattle, Johjima was a seven- time Gold Glove winner, and a six-time postseason All-Star in Japan. He amassed a career .299 average with 211 home runs and 699 RBI in 11 seasons with Japan's Pacific League Fukuoka Soft Bank Hawks.

He was a member of three Pacific League Championship teams (1999, 2000, 2003), and won Japan League titles in 1999 and 2003.

"After lots of very deep thought and deliberation, I have decided to return home to resume my career in Japan," said Johjima. "I have had a wonderful experience competing at the Major League level. The last four years have been extraordinary, with great teammates and great coaches. I will always be indebted to the Mariners organization for giving me the opportunity to follow my dream.

In four years with the Mariners, the 33-year-old backstop hit .268 with 48 home runs and 198 runs batted in over 462 games.

In his rookie season (2006) Johjima set an American League record for hits by a rookie catcher (147), while tying for first among all AL rookies with a .291 batting average. He also led all AL rookies in home runs with 18 and RBI with 76.

He followed up his inaugural campaign by hitting .287 with 14 homers and 61 RBI, but saw his numbers tail off in recent years.

In 2008, the catcher's average dipped to .227 when he knocked in only 39 runs and hit seven homers in 112 games. Then last season he appeared in just 71 contests and batted .247 with nine homers and 22 RBI.

"We are very appreciative of everything Kenji has done for this organization over the past four seasons," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "We respect his decision to return home. Joh has been a terrific teammate and a great competitor. His work ethic, production and desire to win made him a positive role model. We wish Kenji the very best and will follow his career."