Argentina's forward Lionel Messi celebrates after the Qatar 2022 World Cup final match against France in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18.
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 6, 2023
Messi back as 2026 World Cup qualifiers kick off
Nine months ago, Messi crowned his glittering career by leading Argentina to a World Cup crown in Qatar.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 13, 2023
Mana Iwabuchi left out of Japan's Women's World Cup squad
The Tottenham midfielder was part of the team that won the World Cup in 2011 but did not make Futoshi Ikeda's list of 23.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 15, 2023
FIFA approves 2026 World Cup format with record 104 matches
The new format will also stick to drawing four teams in a group after a proposal for 16 groups of three was shot down over fears of collusion in the final group game.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 15, 2023
Morocco joining Spain and Portugal's 2030 FIFA World Cup bid
A South American bid including Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile is set to challenge the Iberian bid, and Saudi Arabia hopes to lead a joint ticket with Egypt and Greece.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Dec 28, 2022
Hajime Moriyasu retains post as Japan manager after World Cup run
The 54-year-old will be tasked with steering the Samurai Blue toward the 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Dec 22, 2022
Tattoo artists in Argentina swamped by demand from fans eager to pay tribute to Lionel Messi
Tattoo artists has been hard at working inking the image of Lionel Messi on the bodies of fans since Argentina's triumph at the World Cup.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Dec 21, 2022
Argentina's World Cup heroes airlifted as street party overflows
Television images showed people all over the city, including those waiting around the Obelisco and on surrounding highways, trying to catch a glimpse of their returning champions.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on