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.
More Sports | ICE TIME Sep 6, 2013
Kim selects program music as road to Sochi begins
by Jack Gallagher
Defending world and Olympic champion Kim Yu-na has selected the music for the programs she hopes will carry her to a second straight gold medal next year at the Sochi Games. Kim, who turned 23 on Thursday, will skate to “Send in the Clowns” ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Jun 5, 2013
Earliest Mao, Kim can face off is at GP Final in Fukuoka
by Jack Gallagher
The Olympic season officially began with the release of the 2013-2014 Grand Prix assignments on Monday by the International Skating Union. With the Sochi Games just nine months away, fans hoping to see an early showdown between 2010 Olympic gold medalist and defending world ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Apr 24, 2013
Mao certain to face massive pressure if she tries to retire
by Jack Gallagher
Mao Asada’s recent proclamation at the World Team Trophy that she “intends” to retire after next year’s Sochi Olympics took many by surprise, but I think the proclamation is far from set in stone.
More Sports | ICE TIME Mar 20, 2013
Kim serves notice she is still force to be reckoned with
by Jack Gallagher
It is as if time has stood still. Three years after her record-setting performance in winning the gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, Kim Yu Na put on a sensational show in capturing her second world title last week in London, Ontario. It was ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Dec 19, 2012
Mao, Kim begin road to second Olympic showdown
by Jack Gallagher
Japan’s strong showing at the recent Grand Prix Final in Sochi, Russia, set the table for what promises to be a fascinating 14 months leading up to the 2014 Olympic Games in the same city. With six of the 12 skaters in singles being ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Nov 21, 2012
Mao striving to secure GP Final spot at NHK Trophy
by Jack Gallagher
Two-time world champion Mao Asada will be looking to clinch her place in the Grand Prix Final at this week’s NHK Trophy in Sendai. Mao won the Cup of China two weeks ago in Shanghai and will bring momentum from that victory into the ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Oct 27, 2012
Sweep at Skate America illustrates Japan's strength early in season
by Jack Gallagher
The senior Grand Prix season began with a bang for Japan as Takahiko Kozuka, Yuzuru Hanyu and Tatsuki Machida swept the medals at Skate America last Saturday. The strong showing could be a harbinger of what lies ahead in the coming months for the ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Aug 29, 2012
Kim reveals new programs, denies marriage rumors
by Jack Gallagher
Kim Yu Na geared up for her much-anticipated return to competition this season by announcing her musical selections for her programs recently through her agency, All That Sports. The 2010 Olympic gold medalist has selected “Kiss of the Vampire” for her short program and ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Jul 11, 2012
Will Kim's return provide new motivation for Mao?
by Jack Gallagher
Great news descended upon the skating world last week when Kim Yu Na announced she was returning to competition with the goal of taking part in the 2014 Sochi Games. With Kim and two-time world champion Miki Ando sitting out last season, and Mao ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Apr 8, 2012
Japan's strong showing at worlds bodes well for future
by Jack Gallagher
Though much attention was placed on Mao Asada’s disappointing sixth-place finish at the world championships in Nice, France, it was still a fine showing for Japan. Taking three of the six medals in singles (Daisuke Takahashi —silver, Yuzuru Hanyu — bronze, Akiko Suzuki — ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Feb 8, 2012
Mao's push for third world title starts at Four Continents
by Jack Gallagher
Mao Asada ended last year with a month of triumph and tragedy that are hard to imagine. Just two weeks after her mother Kyoko passed away at 48 on Dec. 9, Mao laced up the boots again and showed the heart of a true ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Dec 14, 2011
Mao was blessed with a mother who gave it her all
by Jack Gallagher
The past few days have been very difficult. I’m fairly confident a lot of other folks share my sentiments. Late Friday evening we learned that Mao Asada’s mother Kyoko had passed away at the far too young age of 48. Though some within the ...