Embracing the bicultural identity

Mar 27, 2010

Embracing the bicultural identity

Leslie Lorimer defied definition in Japan from the time she was a young child, when her blond hair, blue eyes and fluent Japanese proved a startling mix. She and her brother would enjoy going to the imported-foods shop in Yokohama, where they would point ...

Computer whiz turns 'strangeness' into asset

Feb 13, 2010

Computer whiz turns 'strangeness' into asset

From his early days in Japan as a destitute student sleeping in train station stairwells to living in a 3-mat room that cost him ¥10,000 a month, Richard Northcott went on to head a mobile software company that now enjoys sales of $2 million ...

Dream Journey powers to Arima Kinen victory

Dec 28, 2009

Dream Journey powers to Arima Kinen victory

FUNABASHI, Chiba Pref. — Tears of both joy and pain marked the 54th running of the Arima Kinen Sunday at Nakayama Racecourse. For Kenichi Ikezoe they were tears of joy, as race second pick Dream Journey topped favorite Buena Vista by half a length ...

Oct 31, 2009

Dressage instructor knows how to get best out of horses, riders

In the rarefied atmosphere of Japan’s equestrian competitive world, Gool Wadia is a highly respected name. She is the “eye and mouth” on the ground, the person behind, specifically, some of Japan’s best dressage riders as they endeavor to improve their riding, their horses ...

Jun 24, 2009

Top stallion Agnes Tachyon dies

Japan’s racing industry was shocked by the news Tuesday of the death of its leading sire, Agnes Tachyon, found dead in his stall at Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido’s Abira-cho on Monday afternoon. The cause of death had yet to be determined but heart ...

Jun 8, 2009

Vodka wins Yasuda

“I didn’t think she could catch them in time,” said the trainer. “I was scared,” admitted the jockey. But, once again, Vodka left the stands reeling as she showed just what a fine grain she is. Weaving her way out of a death trap ...

Logi Universe triumphs in Derby, avenges loss

Jun 1, 2009

Logi Universe triumphs in Derby, avenges loss

Disappointing as the favorite in the Satsukisho, Logi Universe was able to salvage his reputation in the Japan Derby just over a month later answering fans’ somewhat lesser expectations with a four-length win over fifth pick Reach the Crown. The stands Sunday at Fuchu ...

May 23, 2009

Reality check from the top of the world

“I suppose I just couldn’t sit down and listen to it anymore. I couldn’t go to the pub and just keep complaining about it and not actually go do something about it,” says Gavin Dixon. The Australian native is speaking of climate change and ...

May 18, 2009

Vodka dominating in latest win

Vodka, with characteristic aplomb, dropped jaws at Tokyo Racecourse with yet another inebriating performance, laying waste to the all-female, 18-strong field of the Victoria Mile on Sunday to win by 7 lengths. With the win, Vodka became the first horse to notch four top-level ...

May 16, 2009

Fated winds turn path to cyclone-hit Myanmar

When Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar just over a year ago on May 2, Naomi Kato was in Japan, wishing she wasn’t. As life ended for some 140,000 people and changed drastically for countless others, the Yokohama native found herself on the brink of a ...