Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
Soccer | SOCCER SCENE Sep 20, 2013
J. League courting disaster with return to two-stage season
by Andrew Mckirdy
The J. League has built up a richly deserved reputation for leadership and vision since it began two decades ago, but this week’s decision to revert to a two-stage championship risks setting the Japanese game back by years. The J. League on Tuesday announced ...
Soccer | SOCCER SCENE Jul 31, 2013
East Asian Cup triumph gives Japan, Zaccheroni timely boost
by Andrew Mckirdy
The East Asian Cup gave Japan something to build upon with next year's World Cup on the horizon.
Soccer | SOCCER SCENE Jul 17, 2013
Zaccheroni on lookout for new blood at East Asian Cup
by Andrew Mckirdy
Japan heads to South Korea for the East Asian Cup this weekend expecting a completely different challenge from last month’s Confederations Cup, but with the disappointment of a first-round exit from Brazil still fresh in the memory, manager Alberto Zaccheroni will be keen to ...
Soccer | SOCCER SCENE Jun 27, 2013
Zaccheroni feels heat for first time after early exit from Brazil
by Andrew Mckirdy
Alberto Zaccheroni has enjoyed an exceptionally smooth first three years as national team manager, but after coming in for widespread criticism in the wake of Japan’s early exit from the Confederations Cup, the Italian can expect a bumpy ride before the World Cup begins ...
Soccer | SOCCER SCENE Jun 20, 2013
Japan looking for Italian tonic after poor display against Brazil
by Andrew Mckirdy
Japan’s humbling defeat to Brazil in the opening game of the Confederations Cup last weekend was a bitter pill to swallow, but that does not mean Alberto Zaccheroni’s side cannot get its campaign back on track against Italy on Wednesday. Brazil brushed the Asian ...
Soccer | SOCCER SCENE May 23, 2013
Kagawa can become United star despite frustrating first season
by Andrew Mckirdy
Shinji Kagawa’s debut season at Manchester United was a quiet one, but if luck goes his way the forward can play a major role for the Premier League champions next term. Kagawa scored the opening goal in United’s 5-5 draw with West Bromwich Albion ...
World Cup | SOCCER SCENE Mar 21, 2013
Strength in depth gives Japan chance to clinch World Cup place
by Andrew Mckirdy
National team manager Alberto Zaccheroni will be without two of his most important players when Japan attempts to book its ticket to the 2014 World Cup against Jordan next Tuesday, but the Italian still has enough quality in reserve to get the job done. ...
Soccer | SOCCER SCENE Jan 31, 2013
Japan looking to lay down marker for 2013 in Latvia friendly
by Andrew Mckirdy
Japan will face tougher tests over the year ahead than next Wednesday’s season-opening friendly against Latvia, but with World Cup qualification virtually secured more than 16 months before the tournament begins, manager Alberto Zaccheroni will be keen to start building momentum on the road ...
Soccer | SOCCER SCENE Jan 10, 2013
Kagawa returns to changed landscape at high-flying United
by Andrew Mckirdy
Shinji Kagawa will not have expected anything to come easy when he joined Manchester United last summer, but having returned from injury over the holiday period to a team that has been winning in his absence, the forward will have to work overtime to ...
Soccer | SOCCER SCENE Dec 20, 2012
Departure of Club World Cup strips Japan of valuable asset
by Andrew Mckirdy
The Club World Cup undoubtedly has its flaws, but as the competition ends its long association with Japan to set up home in Morocco for the next two years, the Japanese game would do well to consider what it is losing. Brazilian side Corinthians ...
Soccer | SOCCER SCENE Nov 29, 2012
Debut title fitting reward for Sanfrecce's consistent campaign
by Andrew Mckirdy
Sanfrecce Hiroshima may have had to wait until the J. League’s 20th season before winning their first piece of silverware, but after clinching the championship with a resounding win in front of a home crowd on Saturday, the achievement will taste all the sweeter. ...
Soccer | SOCCER SCENE Nov 8, 2012
Oman qualifier brings Japan back to reality after European tour
by Andrew Mckirdy
Japan may have enjoyed dining at soccer’s top table in prestige friendlies against France and Brazil last month, but with World Cup-qualifying points at stake in next Wednesday’s away trip to Oman, Alberto Zaccheroni’s side will have to quickly readjust to the realities of ...